Checking your HIV status is a vital step in protecting your health and the health of others. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) often progresses quietly in the early stages, which is why many people don’t realize they’re infected until symptoms become more serious. If you start noticing certain unusual signs in your body especially if they persist it’s important to get tested. Here are five key signs that should prompt you to check your HIV status.
1. Persistent fatigue: Feeling tired all the time, even after a good night’s sleep, could be a signal. HIV affects your immune system, making your body work harder to fight infections, which drains your energy.
2. Rapid weight loss: If you’re losing weight without changing your diet or exercise routine, your body might be struggling with something serious. Unexplained weight loss can be a sign of advanced HIV.
3. Frequent fevers or night sweats: These are early signs of the virus. They may come and go but can also be persistent. Night sweats can soak your sheets even when the room isn’t hot.
4. Swollen lymph nodes: Lymph nodes, especially around the neck, armpits, and groin, often swell when the body is fighting infection. Persistent swelling may indicate your immune system is under strain.
5. Skin rashes and mouth sores: HIV can cause skin issues and painful ulcers in the mouth or on the genitals due to the weakened immune system.
It’s important to remember that these symptoms don’t always mean you have HIV other conditions can cause them too. However, if you notice more than one of these signs, especially if you’re at higher risk (through unprotected sex, multiple partners, or needle sharing), get tested as soon as possible. HIV is no longer a death sentence when caught early it’s manageable with treatment