5 Uncommon HIV Symptoms

The insidious human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the root of the deadly and debilitating acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This virus has a devastating effect on the human body, compromising its ability to fight off illnesses and infections by weakening the immune system.

Shortly after contracting HIV, some people may experience flu-like symptoms, signaling the beginning of primary (acute) HIV infection. This phase may last a few weeks.

HIV is an insidious STI that can be transmitted through various means, including sharing needles, injecting illegal substances, and exposure to contaminated blood. If left untreated, it will gradually erode your immune system until you develop AIDS. Even a mother can pass it to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.

Despite the fact that no cure has been found for HIV/AIDS, an array of treatments and medications have been created to help manage the infection and keep the ailment from worsening. International organizations are diligently working to ensure that people in resource-poor nations have access to preventative measures and treatments. Thankfully, antiviral therapies have been successful in decreasing the death toll from AIDS around the globe. Fortunately, if you are unfortunate enough to contract the virus, treatments and medications are available in the United States. Check out the next section to find out about five strange symptoms that may be indicative of HIV.

HIV Research Shows Patients Develop Previously Unknown Symptoms

As many as 92% of people newly infected with HIV may experience Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS). This is the body's inflammatory response to fighting off the virus and can bring on symptoms similar to those of the flu.

Many people who have been exposed to HIV may experience the typical symptoms of ARS, including fever, exhaustion, headache, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, muscle and joint discomfort, and even a rash known as an "HIV rash." Though nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain may also occur, they are not as common. However, recent studies have revealed that ARS can also cause more severe and potentially fatal illnesses.

Thrush Can Be an Early Symptom of HIV

In 2015, the Zurich Primary HIV Prevention Study set out on an audacious mission to explore the full scope of symptoms connected to acute HIV infection. After an in-depth analysis, the Swiss researchers were astounded to find 18 diverse diseases or medical conditions – far more than they had anticipated! Additionally, they were surprised to realize that many of these were not noticed during the initial diagnosis.

An incredible 23% of the patients in the study displayed an AIDS-defining symptom, implying that their initial evidence of HIV was in a more progressed form. This included conditions such as esophageal candida (thrush), cytomegalovirus (CMV) of the stomach or liver, herpes zoster (shingles), and even HIV wasting syndrome, a disease that is almost exclusively observed in those with advanced HIV.

Tonsillitis and Stomach Hemorrhage Is Linked with Acute HIV

A staggering 14% of HIV-related atypical presentations were attributed to gastrointestinal symptoms unrelated to HIV. Even more shocking, almost half of these cases reported tonsillitis. However, more serious issues, such as stomach hemorrhage, gallbladder inflammation, and a misdiagnosis of appendicitis that ultimately led to the patient having part of their colon removed due to a herpes-related illness, were also reported.

Patients struggled with a range of discomforts such as severe stomach pain - particularly in the mornings - sweating, headaches, and relentless fatigue the night before. All of these symptoms point to Crone's disease, as well as bouts of constipation or diarrhea that made it nearly impossible to make it to the restroom.

Brain Inflammation and Facial Paralysis May Be A Symptom of HIV

An additional 12% of atypical cases were linked to Central Nervous System symptoms, including hospitalizations due to severe brain inflammation like encephalitis and meningitis, transient facial paralysis, and acute psychiatric episodes.

Patients often experience uncomfortable and worrying symptoms such as congestion, swelling, and a rapid increase in temperature. Meningitis-like symptoms and agonizing headaches similar to migraines can accompany these. It is essential to take these signs seriously and seek medical help right away. To alleviate the pain, drinking lots of water and taking a blood thinner like aspirin can help.

Scientists Are Doing Further Research Into HIV Symptoms

It may come as a surprise, but research has discovered that those with more resilient immune systems are actually more prone to a severe acute episode than those with moderately weakened systems. This suggests that these conditions may be more common in those with healthier immune systems than what was previously assumed.

Although the exact causes of these disorders remain a mystery, it is known that an exceptionally high level of virus (averaging 4-5 million copies per milliliter) during early infection and the non-B HIV sub-type can increase the risk of them occurring.

By delving deeper into the speed and extent to which HIV infiltrates the gut and brain, as well as the factors that may make a person more susceptible to serious gastrointestinal and CNS infections, scientists are gaining invaluable insight.