When to Test for HIV? Importance of Early HIV Diagnosis

HIV testing is the only way to make sure about your HIV status. It is quick, easy, painless, private and maximum times free in most of the hospitals & labs. HIV, Human immunodeficiency virus is a precarious virus that weak human immune system. It can harm CD4 cells which are very essential to strengthen the immune system. If a person doesn’t take any quick action to prevent the risk of HIV infection, they might suffer AIDS symptoms (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). So, its recommended to immediately ask the doctor when to test for HIV so to protect yourself & your partner from getting infected with HIV.

In most of the cases, people who are infected with HIV can live for a long time without experiencing symptoms. But if a person is sexually active in their life, they must go once a year to get tested for HIV. If a person has never gone for HIV testing while having multiple sex partners, they might be at high risk of getting HIV virus. For sexually active men or women, it is highly recommended that they must visit the health care centre once a month for HIV check-up. They must have appropriate knowledge about early symptoms of HIV. So, they can reduce the risk of transferring the HIV infection, if they are infected with HIV.

Early Symptoms of HIV

The early signs of HIV can be appeared as symptoms similar to those caused by flu-like fever. These can include:

  • Fever
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Headache
  • Thrush
  • Diarrhea
  • Tiredness
  • Sore throat or heavy Gland
  • Rash
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Ulcers in the mouth
  • Ulcers on the genitals
  • Night sweats

These early HIV signs usually can be seen within one to two months after interacting with HIV infected person. And, people who are suspicious about their HIV status can visit the health care centre and learn how to check for HIV test. This can alert them from future complexities of HIV virus

How Early can HIV be detected by a blood Test?

A nucleic acid test (NAT) can normally inform about a person’s HIV status after 10 to 33 days of HIV exposure. An antigen/antibody test performed by a laboratory on blood from a vein can usually detect HIV infection 18 to 45 days after exposure.

The importance of Early HIV Diagnosis

Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment for people who are engaged in sexual activities. It is the best way to control the virus through prompt diagnosis or treatment. Early diagnosis usually results in earlier treatment with medications that can easily prevent the flow of AIDS.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highly suggests that all individuals’ ages 13 to 64 years should get tested for HIV. This way they can prevent future HIV symptoms. For HIV testing, go through community HIV testing centres and know when to test for HIV and know the applicable procedure to get tested for HIV.

HIV testing is especially necessary for pregnant women because they can transfer HIV virus through childbirth and breast-feeding. Still, pregnant women can efficiently reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to their infant baby by early HIV diagnosis. They should learn how to check for HIV test so that they will be capable to diminish the chances of transferring the HIV infection.

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