AIDS in its early stages is easily overlooked. Women should be alert to these 5 abnormalities and seek early testing and treatment.

AIDS is a severe immunodeficiency disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The virus gradually destroys the body's immune system, leading to various complications.

Due to their unique physiological structure, women exhibit certain distinctive symptoms after contracting HIV, and many of these symptoms are easily confused with common gynecological conditions or the flu, leading to delayed diagnosis.

Understanding the typical symptoms of HIV infection in women is crucial for early detection and treatment.

The following five symptoms are relatively common manifestations in women infected with HIV. If you notice these abnormalities in yourself, seek medical examination promptly.

The first typical symptom is acute-phase fever accompanied by general malaise.

Approximately 2 to 4 weeks after HIV infection, most women enter the acute stage. At this time, the virus replicates extensively in the body, triggering an acute response from the immune system. The most obvious manifestation is fever, with body temperature typically ranging between 38 to 39 degrees Celsius, lasting mostly from 3 to 14 days.

This is often accompanied by general malaise symptoms such as headache, sore throat, muscle aches, and joint pain. Some women may also experience digestive symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.

These symptoms closely resemble those of the common cold, leading many to treat them as such. Although the symptoms may resolve on their own, the virus continues to replicate within the body.

If you have engaged in high-risk behavior recently and experience such symptoms with ineffective treatment from common cold medicines, you should be highly vigilant.

The second symptom to be aware of is abnormal skin and mucous membrane manifestations.

The skin and mucous membranes are important sites for HIV invasion, and women may experience various skin issues after infection.

The most common is a rash, often presenting as red maculopapular eruptions on the trunk and limbs, usually without significant itching or only mild itching, which may resolve on its own after 1 to 3 weeks.

Some women may develop oral mucosal lesions, such as oral candidiasis, characterized by white patches inside the mouth that reveal red, painful sores when wiped away, affecting the ability to eat.

Additionally, symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases such as genital herpes and condyloma acuminatum may occur, presenting as blisters, ulcers, or wart-like growths on the vulva, vagina, and other areas.

If these mucocutaneous symptoms recur and respond poorly to conventional treatment, the possibility of HIV infection should be considered.

The third signal is recurrent gynecological infections.

After being infected with HIV, a woman’s immune system function declines, particularly with impaired cellular immunity, leading to reduced body resistance, susceptibility to various gynecological infections, and difficulty in curing these infections, resulting in recurrent episodes.

The most common manifestation is vulvovaginal candidiasis, characterized by vulvar itching, increased vaginal discharge with a curd-like or cottage cheese appearance. Symptoms may temporarily improve with antifungal treatment but often recur within a short period.

Additionally, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and other conditions may occur frequently, manifesting as abnormal odor or color of vaginal discharge.

If gynecological infections recur more than four times within a year without clear triggering factors, HIV screening should be promptly performed.

The fourth abnormal manifestation is persistent lymphadenopathy.

The HIV virus attacks the body's lymphatic system, leading to swollen lymph nodes, which is one of the common symptoms after infection.

In women after infection, superficial lymph nodes in areas such as the neck, armpits, and groin become enlarged. The swollen lymph nodes are firm in texture, typically exceeding 1 centimeter in diameter, with a smooth surface. They usually do not cause significant pain when pressed and do not adhere to surrounding tissues.

These swollen lymph nodes persist continuously; some may shrink on their own after several months but tend to recur repeatedly.

If swelling is observed in multiple lymph node areas simultaneously and persists for more than one month, after excluding other infectious factors, timely HIV-related testing should be conducted.

The fifth symptom requiring vigilance is unexplained prolonged weight loss and fatigue.

With the HIV virus continuously damaging the immune system, after entering the asymptomatic stage, some women may experience chronic wasting symptoms, the most noticeable being unexplained weight loss—losing more than 10% of body weight within six months without intentionally dieting or increasing exercise.

At the same time, this may be accompanied by persistent fatigue, which cannot be relieved even after adequate rest, severely impacting daily life and work.

Some women may also experience symptoms such as night sweats and chronic diarrhea, with diarrhea often being watery stools occurring more than three times a day and lasting for over a month.

These symptoms indicate significant damage to the immune system, requiring immediate medical examination and treatment.

It is important to emphasize that the above symptoms are not specific manifestations of HIV infection. Experiencing these symptoms does not necessarily mean that one is infected with HIV. Moreover, some women may have no obvious symptoms for a long time after infection and may only be incidentally detected during a physical examination.

Therefore, the most reliable diagnostic method is to undergo an HIV antibody test. An initial screening should be conducted 4 weeks after high-risk behavior, followed by a re-examination 8 to 12 weeks later. A negative result can essentially rule out infection.

The key to preventing AIDS lies in taking personal protective measures, practicing safe sex, and avoiding sharing needles and other equipment.

If you suspect you may be infected, it is crucial to seek testing and counseling promptly at a formal medical institution or disease control center. Early detection and treatment can effectively control the condition and improve quality of life.