Know the HIV Symptoms in Women

Posted by fhingo on August 6th, 2019

The chances of women contracting HIV, are mostly during vaginal and anal sex. HIV is a virus that can also be transmitted through the use of infected needles, syringes, or drug equipment. The symptoms of HIV in women, may vary depending upon the stage of disease they are in i.e. acute (initial stage), asymptomatic (silent stage), AIDS (advanced stage). 

Initial HIV symptoms in women, are often mistaken as normal flu. Body rash, fever, severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and night sweats, are some of the commonly found HIV symptoms in women. These symptoms last for 2-4 weeks, after which the second stage begins (if not treated). 

The second stage, referred to as asymptomatic stage, occurs when the HIV symptoms in women, start disappearing. Women with HIV, doesn’t exhibit any signs of the infection, for months or years. The virus remains active in the body, breaking down the immune system. It can also be transmitted to others, which is why it is very important for you and your partner, to get an HIV test done. 

If HIV in women, is detected at an early stage, it won’t be too difficult to control it. If ignored or left untreated for a longer period, the virus becomes severe, and leads to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). It is the third and the last stage of HIV in women. Here, the immune system becomes completely damaged, leaving no option for repair. The body loses its power to fight against diseases or opportunistic infections. Rapid weight loss, memory loss, coughing, and shortness of breath, are some of the symptoms, women with AIDS may experience. 

HIV in pregnancy, may affect the child. The virus can be transmitted from a mother to her child, either during childbirth or breastfeeding. The major HIV symptoms in children, include, short-term memory loss, persistent skin rashes, frequent yeast infections, and lack of energy. The best way to prevent mother-to-child transmission, is to get a proper HIV treatment, during pregnancy. This won’t let the virus affect or pass-on to the child. 

When it’s about a woman, there’s not one life, there are many lives attached. So, if a woman contracts HIV, it will not only affect her life, but her family in whole. Therefore, in order to save many lives, it is important for a woman, to get an HIV test done, at the earliest. 

Book an appointment now, to know your HIV status!