HIV, short for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that targets and weakens the body's natural defense system or the immune system. When the immune system is compromised, the body struggles to fend off diseases. Both the virus itself and the condition it leads to are referred to as HIV.
White blood cells are crucial components of the immune system. HIV specifically infects and destroys a particular type of white blood cell. If many such cells are destroyed, the body loses its ability to protect itself against infections. If you are in Arlington, visit the nearest urgent care facility to check if the Arlington HIV infection symptoms are false alarms or real. The final stage of HIV infection is AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Individuals with AIDS have a severely reduced count of specific white cells. It leaves them vulnerable to infections and cancers, often with fatal consequences. There are two primary types of HIV:
It's important to note that having HIV is not the same as having AIDS. Even without treatment, it takes time for HIV to progress to AIDS, typically spanning 10 to 12 years. With proper medical care, many people living with HIV can lead long, near-normal, and active lives. Visit the best urgent care clinic in Arlington to get tested is the right way of putting all doubts to rest. After exposure to HIV, some individuals may develop flu-like symptoms within a month or two, while many remain asymptomatic during the initial infection. The Arlington HIV infection symptoms that appear typically last a week to a month and can be mistaken for those of other viral infections. Severe or persistent symptoms generally don’t show up until 10 years or more after an HIV infection. This asymptomatic phase varies widely from one person to another and also with age. However, during this phase, HIV actively infects and depletes immune system cells and white cells, which are critical infection fighters, without causing noticeable symptoms. Soon, health complications emerge. The most common HIV symptoms in Arlington, VA, are:
Infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia result from a weakened immune system. Some individuals may experience frequent herpes infections, leading to sores in the oral cavity. It is also seen that affected individuals may suffer shingles - a nerve condition. Throughout the course of HIV infection, most individuals undergo a gradual decline in one specific variety of white cells called CD4+ T cells. The count may vary and drop suddenly and significantly. If symptoms persist and no other cause can be identified, a doctor may mark HIV as a potential cause. In persons exposed to HIV, the immune system produces antibodies in an attempt to combat the virus. Healthcare professionals use special tests to detect the presence of these HIV antibodies in the blood, urine, or saliva. A definitive HIV diagnosis is not established until the test results confirm the condition. HIV antibodies or antigens typically become detectable in the blood within three months after exposure. If you suspect exposure to HIV but test negative: Undergo another test, and a follow-up test might be recommended a few weeks later to ensure you are not infected. In the meantime, take precautions to prevent potential transmission of the virus, even if you are unsure of your HIV status. This can be done by:
It's important to note that the symptoms of an HIV infection may resemble those of other medical conditions. For an accurate diagnosis, always consult your healthcare provider.
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