Symptoms of HIV in men and when

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

HIV is considered the most severe consequence of unprotected sex. You need to know the symptoms in men, the first signs and at what time they appear.

Infection routes

According to medical statistics, men are more susceptible to infection with a dangerous disease. After diagnosis, approximately 50% die in the first year. If treatment is started in a timely manner, there is a chance to extend life by an average of 5 years. When receiving quality antiviral therapy, some men live happily with the disease for 30 years.

It is very important to identify pathology in the early stages. To do this, you need to know how you can become infected with HIV, symptoms in men, the first signs and at what time they begin to appear.

The main methods of infection:

• sexual intercourse with an infected partner in any way, that is, anal, vaginal, oral contact;
• the use of one syringe for intravenous administration of drugs by several people, among whom there is an infected person;
• the use of poorly sterilized medical instruments containing blood residues from patients with HIV infection;
• blood transfusion from an infected donor;
• contact with an open wound of infected blood or other biological fluid of an infected person;
• transfer of biological fluids in everyday life, for example, through a sick person's toothbrush.

It is possible to get infected only if there are wounds on the skin, damage, by contact of mucous membranes. But infection is excluded through a handshake, through food, animals or after an insect bite.

Timing of onset of symptoms

When HIV is infected, the symptoms in men manifest themselves in different ways, the first signs and when they appear cannot be predicted with certainty. It all depends on the individual characteristics of immunity.

After the virus enters the body, T-lymphocytes are destroyed. These are cells of the immune system that protect a person from foreign microorganisms.

In some people, the virus can remain inactive in the body for up to 10 years. As a result, the immune system is disrupted, it is not able to resist even a mild infection.

When HIV is detected, a course of immunomodulators is prescribed to restore the resistance system, and drugs are also prescribed to normalize metabolism and improve the functioning of the nervous system.

A man can notice the first signs of the disease in himself a few weeks after infection. This is often overlooked, suggesting the onset of a cold. After about 1 month, the temperature begins to rise (it does not rise above 38 ° C).

After 2 months, the asymptomatic period of the disease begins. The man thinks that his cold is gone. HIV is detected after a few months or years already in its advanced stages. During the latent period, only through special tests can the presence of an immunodeficiency virus be determined.

Stages of development of infection

The infection has 4 main stages of development. Each is characterized by its own manifestations, which you need to know so as not to be confused with other diseases.

Stage of the disease	Description
Incubation	Lasts 1-3 months. In some cases, it can last up to 1 year. The virus actively spreads in the body, affects the immune system. There are few antibodies, the presence of the disease cannot be determined
The appearance of the first symptoms	The synthesis of HIV antibodies is in progress. This stage can last for several years. The person is often more flu, colds, infections
Consequences of the introduction of the virus	There are obvious signs of the disease. Changes in the body are irreversible. Lasts up to 20 years. The virus is slowly destroying the immune system
Final stage	HIV turns into AIDS, which always ends in human death

At the last stage, diseases appear that are not characteristic of a person with healthy immunity, for example, oncology, infections with severe complications.

The first signs of infection

2-3 months after infection, the first signs begin to appear. But with them, men do not go to take special tests for the immunodeficiency virus, since the symptoms are very similar to ARVI or influenza.

The main first signs:

• fever, which is poorly confused by antipyretic drugs;
• an increase in lymph nodes in the neck, in the armpits, later the lymph nodes in the lower body begin to become inflamed;
• muscle weakness, joint soreness;
• excessive sweating, especially at night;
• an infection begins to appear in the nasopharynx and oral cavity - the tonsils increase, the throat hurts, difficulty swallowing begins, problems arise even at rest;
• headache, general tiredness;
• mononuclear cells (atypical leukocyte cells) appear in the blood test.

Some men may not have these symptoms. The different manifestation of pathology depends on the initial state of health that preceded the infection.

The emergence of secondary diseases

After the introduction of the virus, a long period begins, which often does not have significant symptoms suggestive of HIV. But at the same time, a person is a carrier of the infection and is dangerous to others, because he can infect other people.

In a man's body, the immune system is suppressed, and secondary diseases begin to appear. They develop against the background of a weakened resistance to infections, pathological microorganisms.

Common pathologies:

• seborrheic dermatitis;
• persistent herpes infection;
• shingles;
• fungal infections of the mucous membranes and skin, for example, genital or oral candidiasis.

HIV often manifests itself as lesions on the skin that do not heal for a long time. Inflammation can take a long and hard time, for example, bronchitis, otitis media, pharyngitis. At this stage, the nervous system may suffer, a depressive state, a feeling of apathy may develop. It is necessary to get rid of such conditions with the help of specialists.

Signs of the final stage

In the last stage, the immune system is so weak that it cannot resist even a small illness. A man can die from any pathology. The main treatment is aimed at alleviating the condition.

At this stage, serious diseases develop: malignant neoplasms, tuberculosis, pneumonia. Signs will be characteristic of these pathologies.

When infected with HIV, symptoms in men are difficult to identify. The first signs, and in what time frame they develop, depend on the strength of the immune system. It is important to have an understanding of the pathology in order to preserve your health.

Risk of infection after one contact

One often hears the misconception that after one sexual contact with an infected partner it is impossible to get infected. For men, this probability is lower than for women, but it is not zero either.

The risk increases if the partner has any damage on the genitals, not only outside, but also inside, for example, erosion. Also, the likelihood increases with sexual intercourse during menstruation, in the presence of sexually transmitted diseases.

The risk of infection during unprotected anal sex is greatly increased. The mucous membrane is quickly injured, covered with small cracks, abrasions. Through them, the virus quickly enters the body. According to medical statistics, the largest number of people infected with HIV are gay.

Prevention measures

In order not to miss HIV infection, you need to know the symptoms. In men, the first signs may appear later, and at what time the disease will be detected is unknown.

The best way to prevent it is to get tested for the virus. They are often done when applying for a job, registering medical records. Such an important examination should not be ignored.

Additional preventive measures:

1. Avoid casual sex partners. It is necessary to use contraception, remember that the virus is transmitted through anal and oral sex.
2. Monitor the use of new sterile needles and syringes. This applies not only to drug addicts. In hospitals, new instruments must be used when setting up droppers and injections.
3. Exercise caution in beauty salons. When filling tattoos, piercing ears, in manicure and pedicure salons, tools must be disinfected.
4. Be careful with blood transfusions. You must agree to such a procedure if there is no alternative method. You must first study the donor card.
5. Leave no open wounds. Any abrasions on the body cannot be ignored. The body fluids of an infected person can enter them. If there is nothing to disinfect, you just need to cover with a clean cloth.

By following these rules, you can minimize the likelihood of contracting HIV. Symptoms of pathology are blurred. In men, the first signs, and at what time the disease will manifest itself, is difficult to determine.

Often the disease is detected at the last stages of development, when treatment can no longer help. It is important to know more information about this disease, to take preventive measures.

Summarize

1. HIV is more common among men.
2. The first symptoms are similar to those of a cold.
3. The risk of infection is high even after one unprotected sex with an infected partner.
4. Prevention measures reduce the likelihood of infection.