Most people do not show symptoms of HIV until years after infection. People who have HIV may appear healthy and unknowingly transmit the virus to others. Therefore, it is important for everyone, especially for those at a higher risk of contracting the disease, to be tested for HIV.
Early HIV symptoms appear flu-like and include fever, rash, muscles aches and swollen lymph nodes and glands. People in the later stages of HIV are more susceptible to illnesses, infection and cancers that do not normally affect the healthy population. Advanced symptoms may include:
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Chronic yeast infections or thrush (yeast infection of the mouth)
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Unexplained body rashes
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Appearance of purplish lesions on the skin or inside mouth
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Fever and/or night sweats
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Easy bruising
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Extreme exhaustion
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Sudden unexplained weight loss
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Chronic diarrhea (month or longer)
