What are the symptoms of HIV?

">feel it? Maybe. HIV and AIDS, in the very early
If you just typed that sentence into Google, youstages, may feel like the flu. The virus attacks the
probably skipped from site to site reading lists ofimmune system so your body can respond with a
answers that ranged fromfever, swollen glands, skin rashes, body aches, or
“nothing” to “itheadaches. But HIV can be silent for years so you
varies” to a laundry list of flu-like signs thatcannot rely on symptoms to know if you are
spiral into a foreboding list of later stage infection.infected. Some people can live with HIV for 8 years
Stop. If you think you may have been exposed toand not know it. After the virus kills off helper T cells
HIV, get an HIV test. We’re here to help.(CD4 lymphocytes), the body may weaken and
You can get tested today without an appointment.develop chronic symptoms like diarrhea and weight
No need to take off a day from work, deal withloss. Very serious symptoms happen in the later
embarrassing questions, or worry about the teststages of infection which is when HIV officially
appearing on your insurance bill or medical records.becomes AIDS.
You may be wondering…if I have HIV, would I