{"id":110,"date":"2020-10-23T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-23T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.better2know.co.uk\/?p=110"},"modified":"2024-02-27T16:08:37","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T16:08:37","slug":"stages-of-hiv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.better2know.co.uk\/blog\/stages-of-hiv\/","title":{"rendered":"The Four Stages of HIV Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Although there is no cure for HIV, early detection and effective treatment can enable a person with HIV to lead a normal life. However, if HIV is left untreated, it can advance through four serious stages. Therefore, it is important to get tested for HIV if you are concerned that you may have been at risk.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)<\/a> attacks a person\u2019s immune\nsystem, impacting their ability to fight diseases and infections. Therefore, without\ntreatment, HIV can be life-threatening. The early signs and symptoms of HIV<\/a> vary from person-to-person\nand can easily be mistaken for other illnesses. Testing for HIV regularly helps\nto minimise the long-term health consequences that HIV can have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left untreated,\nHIV usually progresses through four stages. With access to treatment, most\npeople with HIV will remain healthy and will never experience the late stage.\nThis does depend on how early HIV was detected and how well a person responds\nto treatment, amongst other lifestyle factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The early signs and symptoms of HIV<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Are you concerned about HIV? Get tested at home with Better2Know’s HIV Home Test Kit.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ORDER YOUR HIV HOME TEST KIT<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\nare the stages of HIV?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stage 1: Seroconversion illness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The primary\ninfection stage only lasts for a number of weeks, during which the person may\nsuffer from flu-like symptoms such as fever, upset stomach, sore throat or\nmuscle pain. About one fifth of people would suffer enough to see a doctor but\nHIV is rarely diagnosed on this alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, the immune system is starting to react to the virus by producing HIV antibodies and cytotoxic lymphocytes – a process known as seroconversion. A third generation HIV test<\/a> carried out before this process is complete may be negative or inconclusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage 2: Asymptomatic stage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aside from swollen\nglands, a person is largely symptomless at this stage and often starts to feel\nbetter. On average, this asymptomatic stage lasts for around ten years, but can\nlast up to 15 years. HIV antibodies can now be found in the blood and therefore\nan HIV test<\/a> will give a positive result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HIV is active within\nthe lymph nodes at this time, infecting new cells and making copies of itself. A\nviral load test measures the small amount of HIV which gets away from the lymph\nnodes. This information is very important in the treatment of HIV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage 3: Symptomatic stage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The immune system\nbecomes seriously damaged by HIV over the years. The lymph nodes and tissues\nare damaged or destroyed. The body cannot continue to replace the lost T-helper\ncells as the HIV infection becomes stronger and more varied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms<\/a> develop as the immune system\nfails, and may include weight loss, chronic diarrhoea, night sweats and fever.\nThe symptoms worsen as the immune system starts to slow down. This is the time\nwhen infections known as \u201copportunistic\u201d infections and cancers can occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stage 4: Late-stage HIV<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the immune\nsystem becomes increasingly damaged and the illnesses increase in frequency and\nseverity, an AIDS diagnosis is given. AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency\nSyndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. The body\u2019s ability to fight\ninfection and disease is severely weakened due to immune system damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How\ncan I test for HIV?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is entirely your\nchoice whether you test for HIV<\/a> on its own, or as part of a screen<\/a> in combination with other\nsexually transmitted infections (STIs). Testing for several STIs provides a\nmore complete view of your current sexual health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Better2Know provides\nvarious HIV tests which can be taken at different times, depending on how long\nhas passed after your last incident of concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our HIV testing\noptions include:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n