How To Detect And Defend Against Early Signs Of HIV

Thrush

Just like a sore throat and mouth ulcers, an individual who has HIV may also develop thrush. Oral thrush occurs when a yeast infection develops on the inside of the mouth or the tongue. Also known as oral candidiasis, the Candida albicans fungus is what ultimately causes thrush to develop. A tiny amount of the fungus normally lives in the mouth without causing any harm. However, when the fungus begins to grow uncontrollably, an infection can develop. Symptoms of oral thrush include white bumps on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, or tonsils. Patients will also experience slight bleeding, painful bumps, dry and cracked skin at the corners of the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and a bad taste in the mouth.

The Stages Of HIV

There are three known stages of HIV, and depending on the patient's stage, their symptoms may vary. The first stage of HIV is the acute or primary HIV infection, and is also called acute retroviral syndrome. During this initial stage, many individuals experience flu-like symptoms, as the immune system is actively trying to fight off the virus within the first two to six weeks.

The second stage of HIV is the clinical latency stage, where the virus becomes less active, though it is still living in the body. During the second stage, many patients experience little to no symptoms, while the viral infection progresses at very low levels. During this stage, untreated HIV will be killing CD4 T-cells and destroying the immune system. The more cells that are destroyed, the more vulnerable an individual is to other infections. This second phase can last a decade or longer.