HIV/AIDS Symptoms 7 Signs That You May Have HIV By Mark Cichocki, RN Mark Cichocki, RN LinkedIn Twitter Mark Cichocki, RN, is an HIV/AIDS nurse educator at the University of Michigan Health System for more than 20 years. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 05, 2021 Medically reviewed by Latesha Elopre, MD, MSPH Medically reviewed by Latesha Elopre, MD, MSPH on August 05, 2021 LinkedIn Latesha Elopre, MD, is a board-certified internist specializing in HIV and an assistant professor of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print No signs or symptoms can diagnose an HIV infection; only an HIV test can. With that being said, the appearance of certain symptoms can sometimes hint that an infection has taken place, particularly if you believe that you've been exposed to HIV or have simply put off getting yourself tested. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends that all Americans ages 15 to 65 be tested for HIV as part of a routine healthcare provider visit and that anyone who tests positive be given immediate treatment. This can help prevent you from getting seriously ill. If you believe that you may be infected, either because of accidental exposure or a symptom that's worrying you, do yourself a favor: get tested today. 1 An Unexplained Rash This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo U.S. National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health A rash is often the first sign of an HIV infection, although it appears in only two out of every five newly infected individuals. That said, it does have a specific appearance and is often described as being maculopapular. That means that it contains both macules (flat, discolored areas of skin) and papules (small bumps). If you have any concerning or unexplained rash, schedule an appointment and ask your healthcare provider to check it out. Also, use the opportunity to get tested for HIV while you're there. HIV Rash Appearance and Causes 2 Swollen Lymph Nodes This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo National Institutes of Health Swollen lymph nodes (also known as lymphadenopathy) often present in the early stages of infection. Frequently appearing on the neck, below or behind the ear, in the groin, or under the armpit, lymphadenopathy can not only be painful at times but also unsightly in more severe cases. If you're experiencing lymphadenopathy, whether it's painful or not, visit your healthcare provider to get tested for HIV. HIV Lymphadenopathy 3 Oral Thrush Martin Barraud / Getty Images Many people have experienced "morning mouth." It's that pasty, bad tasting yuck that coats your mouth each morning. But what if the bad taste and white coating don't go away with simple brushing? Then you may have a common sign of an HIV infection: thrush. Also known as oral candidiasis, thrush is a sign of a weakened immune system and can often predict the approach of an advancing illness. While it is commonly seen in the mouth, it can also present in the throat and in the vagina. The appearance may not instantly spell HIV, but it certainly warrants an examination and an HIV test. The Facts About HIV and Thrush 4 A Sexually Transmitted Infection Katie Salerno/Flickr Creative Commons Contracting other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can significantly increase the risk of getting HIV. For instance, some STDs like syphilis and herpes cause skin lesions that make it easier for HIV to enter the body. STDs may also cause inflammation, which is something that is triggered by the body's immune system. HIV preferentially infects defensive white blood cells, so when there are more of them around, it's easier to contract HIV. Having an STD like gonorrhea or syphilis means that you've engaged in unprotected sex, a key risk factor for HIV. So if you have been diagnosed with an STD, talk to your healthcare provider about how you can reduce your HIV risk. 3 Surprising Ways That STDs Increase HIV Risk 5 Drenching Night Sweats Ryan Hyde/Flickr Creative Commons Look out for unexplained, drenching night sweats that are so intense that they may soak your bed sheets. Night sweats (also known as sleep hyperhidrosis) occur frequently in people with HIV, often because of an undiagnosed opportunistic infection or as a direct result of HIV itself. If you're experiencing night sweats and are not sure what to do, discuss it with your healthcare provider and get an HIV test if you haven't already done so. It may not be HIV in the end (since night sweats can be caused by other conditions, such as the flu or a fever), but getting tested can provide you a peace of mind moving forward. Night Sweats as a Symptom of HIV 6 Sudden Unexplained Weight Loss National Human Genome Research Institute Weight loss is commonly seen in people who have a long-term HIV infection, usually in more advanced stages of the disease. This isn't the loss of few pounds; think: sudden, unexplained weight loss of 10 percent body weight or more. If you've been holding off getting tested and are suddenly shedding a worrying amount of weight (that may be accompanied by weeks of chronic diarrhea), now should be the time to visit your healthcare provider and get tested. Don't delay. HIV Wasting Syndrome 7 No Signs At All Jaime Grill/Getty Images As counterintuitive as it might seem, the most likely symptom of HIV is no symptom at all. This is particularly true during the early stages of the disease, where as many as two out of three newly infected individuals will be wholly unaware of their infection. That's not to say that these very same people might not suspect that they've been exposed to HIV. In many cases, if a person has had unprotected sex, he or she might worry for a couple of weeks. Then, if nothing happens and there are no signs of illnesses, the person assumes that everything is A-OK. It's important to never assume that not having symptoms is the same thing as not having HIV. If you're ever in doubt, get tested right away. It's easy, it's confidential, and it will get rid of the stress of not knowing. And, if you ever fear that you've been exposed to the virus, don't wait to take action. Drugs called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are available, which may avert infection if they're taken less than 72 hours after unprotected sex or other high-risk activities. HIV Healthcare Provider Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. Frequently Asked Questions Where does the initial HIV rash appear? It may vary from person to person, but it often appears on the abdomen, arms, legs, or face. How long does the initial rash last? It typically lasts one to two weeks. What are the symptoms of HIV in women? Women have most of the same HIV symptoms as men, but they may have some additional signs to watch for. These can include frequent vaginal yeast infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and menstrual cycle changes such as skipping periods. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get information on prevention, symptoms, and treatment to better ensure a long and healthy life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Moyer VA. Screening for HIV: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Ann Intern Med. 2013;159(1):51-60. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-159-1-201307020-00645 Kalibala S. Skin conditions common to people with HIV infection or AIDS. AIDS Action. 1990;(10):2-3. Mohseni S, Shojaiefard A, Khorgami Z, Alinejad S, Ghorbani A, Ghafouri A. Peripheral lymphadenopathy: approach and diagnostic tools. Iran J Med Sci. 2014;39(2 Suppl):158-70. Anwar KP, Malik A, Subhan KH. Profile of candidiasis in HIV infected patients. Iran J Microbiol. 2012;4(4):204-9. Tobian AA, Quinn TC. 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Additional Reading Hoenigl, M.; Green, N.; Camacho, M. et al. Signs or Symptoms of Acute HIV Infection in a Cohort Undergoing Community-Based Screening. Emerg Infect Dis. 2016;22(3):532-4. DOI: 10.3201/eid2203.151607. Mojola, S. and Everett, B. STD and HIV Risk Factors Among U.S. Young Adults: Variations by Gender, Race, Ethnicity and Sexual Orientation. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2012:44(2):124-33. DOI: 10.1363/4412512.