The human immunodeficiency virus is by far the most terrible and, unfortunately, so far incurable disease. However, there are drugs that can extend the patient's life up to 70-80 years. It is very important to detect the disease in time, because ignoring it can lead to death 9-11 years after infection.
This is an important topic, and therefore one of its aspects should now be considered. Namely, the symptoms of HIV in women.
Specific disease
First of all, you need to make a reservation that the virus does not reproduce on its own. He needs live, he althy, strong cells. Once in the body, he overcomes them, and after that they begin to produce new viruses. Having performed this “function”, exhausted cells die. Multiplying viruses infect others, and all over again.
This process sometimes takes years. The protective functions of the body gradually weaken, and ineventually the number of immune cells is reduced to a minimum. Even a cold can cause serious damage to such an exhausted body and even lead to death.
Infection can occur through breast milk, blood, semen and vaginal secretions. The most common cause of the virus entering the body is unprotected intercourse.
Development of infection
This process takes 10-12 years on average. It is customary to distinguish four phases:
- Incubation period. There is an active reproduction of the virus in the manner mentioned above. It spreads throughout the body. It takes 1 to 3 months. Immunity is weakening, but only slightly.
- Initial manifestations. The body begins to produce specific antibodies in an attempt to protect itself from the virus.
- Secondary manifestations. There are pronounced symptoms. Immunity weakens.
- AIDS. The disease becomes irreversible and ends in death. Death occurs in 1-3 years.
Symptoms of HIV in women and men are similar. It is important to note that in the case of this disease there are no time limits. In some people, the first symptoms appear two weeks after infection. For others, after a few years. For some, the infection progresses rapidly. And for some, the disease does not manifest itself for years. Everything is very uncertain. Needless to say, if cases of resistance to HIV were identified. Scientists still can't figure out what caused it.
First warning signs
It is important to note thatHIV symptoms are more variable in women than in men. However, they cannot be called specific. Therefore, many simply ignore them, sinning against SARS or a cold. And here are the symptoms in question:
- Unreasonable increase in body temperature up to 38 degrees. Within 2-3 days, the indicator does not decrease.
- Sudden lethargy, loss of strength and great weakness throughout the body. Such apathy can last for several days or pass in a matter of hours.
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin.
- Painful periods, excessive flow.
- Indigestion.
- Migraine and irritability.
- Unexpected pain felt in the pelvic area.
- Severe night sweats followed by chills.
The first symptoms of HIV in women may also be accompanied by sore throat and cough, loss of appetite and nausea, in some cases, the onset of diseases of the genitourinary system.
Most often, a girl suffers from endometritis, herpes and thrush. And since the body is infected, the diseases either sharply worsen or become chronic. And the drugs that used to help, in general, seem to have no effect. Moreover, over time, purulent inflammations and non-healing ulcers, warty growths appear on the genitals.
Features of symptoms
It is important to note that the primary manifestations can be both multiple and single. And they remind of themselves in some cases, barely noticeable, and in others quite clearly. But the presence of signs that relate to the first symptoms of HIV in a woman does not mean that she is infected with this particular virus. Indigestion, loss of energy and fever may indicate some other disease.
However, you can be sure only after passing the examination. And since the earliest symptom of HIV is changes in the lymph nodes, if it is present, even in a slight manifestation, it is necessary to check. It is good that today you can take an analysis free of charge and anonymously at any center for the prevention and control of AIDS and infectious diseases.
Don't delay. An increase in lymph nodes may not always be noticeable, but it is felt on palpation. This makes it possible to independently identify violations. It is important to know that as HIV progresses, the lymph nodes return to their original size. And then it will be difficult to recognize the presence of a virus in the body without a test.
Where can there be pain?
Some of the symptoms of HIV in women are manifested in unpleasant sensations. In pain arising in the right hypochondrium, for example. It is usually the result of an enlarged liver and spleen.
Also, many infected people complain of pain during diarrhea, which, by the way, cannot be eliminated even with the help of specific medications and diets.
Also, talking about the first signs and symptoms of HIV in women, it is impossible not to mention that about one in three have to deal with encephalitis and serous meningitis. These diseases are accompanied by severe headache,elevated to critical levels of temperature, vomiting and nausea.
In addition to the above, early symptoms and signs of HIV in women include esophagitis. This is an inflammatory process of the esophagus, accompanied by pain in the chest and impaired swallowing function.
However, no matter how the disease manifests itself, after 1-2 months, all symptoms will subside. Often, infected people think that they have simply completely recovered from the ailment that bothered them. However, it doesn't end there.
Asymptomatic period
It comes later, as a rule, a couple of months after the first alarms. Many simply do not know what symptoms in women indicate HIV, and they forget about the period of malaise. The infected continue to lead quite an active lifestyle and feel great at the same time. This period can last for several years.
But then things get worse. Secondary signs, which will be discussed further. And this is a new stage, which is the transition to the AIDS-associated complex.
The symptoms in which it manifests itself are beginning to seriously disturb. A woman goes to the doctor, takes tests, learns about her illness. And treatment is not too late to start, but it will be difficult, expensive and less effective. Plus, you will have to deal with comorbidities, which will be discussed now.
Secondaries
HIV is a pathogenic virus, and it causes diseases to which a body with a normal immune system would not normally respond. We are talking aboutopportunistic infections. These include:
- Skin lesions: molluscum contagiosum, versicolor, psoriasis, rubrophytosis, papillomas, seborrhea, aphthae, urticaria, rosacea and warts.
- Shingles.
- Mycoses.
- CNS lesions.
- Bacterial infections.
- Diseases of a viral nature.
- Inflammation of the pharynx and paranasal sinuses.
- Chronic diarrhea.
- Tuberculosis.
- Increased body temperature.
- Hairy leukoplakia
- Oncological neoplasms.
- Multiple hemorrhagic sarcomatosis.
Diseases are attracted to a weakened female body like a magnet. Disorders of the nervous system are especially pronounced. At first, they manifest themselves in small memory problems. Then the concentration of attention noticeably decreases. In the worst cases, dementia develops.
In addition, secondary symptoms of HIV infection in women include salpingitis, dysplasia and carcinoma.
Early treatment
As mentioned earlier, it is impossible to expel this virus from the body. However, according to new WHO research, early treatment leads to better results.
Of course, any measures prescribed by doctors lead to an improvement in the quality of life of the patient and slowing down the development of the disease. However, if a person starts taking antiretroviral drugs from the time they are found to have 500 CD4 cells/mm³ or lower, then their treatment becomes much moresafe and affordable.
And this applies to all infected, regardless of gender and age. By the way, in relation to infected children, other recommendations apply. Antiretroviral therapy is indicated for all babies under 5, regardless of CD4 count.
Also, treatment is indicated for all lactating and pregnant women, without exception. And couples in which one partner is infected.
How to check?
If, after studying the symptoms of HIV in women and photos (many of them are not for the impressionable), there is anxiety and a desire to find out about the state of their immunity, then there is no need to delay.
At any clinic, you can donate blood for free for enzyme immunoassay, during which the presence / absence of antibodies against this virus will be detected. Only a passport is needed. And the results will be ready in 5-10 days.
There are also medical centers, skin and venereal dispensaries and even rapid tests for AIDS, which you can buy at the pharmacy. The result will be known in half an hour.
What does ignoring the disease lead to?
Much has been said above about the symptoms of HIV in women in the early stages and how the disease manifests itself in the future. What happens if you ignore it?
The disease, gradually developing, in the end passes into the last stage of AIDS. Immunity is practically at zero, the body does not have the strength to fight. The real state is displayed on the appearance: the strongest thinness, a lot of bruises and black spots ontele.
Appetite is absent, suppurations, tears, ulcers and other massive skin lesions appear, which finally loses the ability to regenerate. The whole body is covered with spots. The skin peels off, exposing tissue.
Breathing is very difficult, also a constant cough, accompanied by bloody expectorations. Logical thinking disappears, an abscess of tumors begins.
And this is only a small part of the manifestation of AIDS. Unfortunately, the stage is irreversible. Only a hospital can delay death and relieve pain.
But this is not for everyone. Timely detection of the virus and competent therapy - this is what will help reduce the rate of development of the disease to a minimum and prevent it from moving to another stage. That is why it is so important to know what are the first symptoms of HIV. Both women and men.
Positive forecasts
One last good thing to say. That the world knows cases of long-term remission in HIV.
In 2007, a girl was born in South Africa who was infected while still in the womb. After she was born, she, along with 143 other infected children, was sent to the experiment.
They were divided into two groups. In relation to one of them, aggressive methods were used for 40 weeks and retroviral drugs were given. The other group was given a placebo.
The effect was seen only in that girl. Although she was given a placebo. Surprisingly, she achieved a long-term remission with no therapy, which is still ongoing.
