(see the Resources section) In New York City, call CNAP at 1-212-693-1419
Importance of Health Care and Treatment
17. How does HIV affect a person’s health?
The signs and symptoms of early acute HIV can begin 2 to 4 weeks after transmission occurs with HIV During the initial weeks after transmission, about 80% of people will develop symptoms similar to the flu This may include things like fever, fatigue, sore throat, headaches and swollen lymph nodes Although many of symptoms are similar, there are some differences to look for between HIV and the flu Early HIV may cause rash or mouth sores Flu signs that differ maybe nasal congestion, cough and sneezing Symptoms can last for just a few days or weeks, and in rare cases for several months After that, the person may feel and look fine for sometime HIV testing is the only way to know if a person has HIV If HIV is left untreated, overtime it will seriously damage the person’s immune system and leave him or her open to life-threatening infections and even death Early in the epidemic, before our current treatments were available, most people living with HIV died within 12-15 years Today, once a person has a reactive (meaning the test found evidence of HIV) test result, he or she will be linked to a healthcare provider who will provide care and prescribe medication they need With treatment, people living with HIV can stay healthy and live life fully HIV is no longer a death sentence Now people living with HIV are living as long as those who do not have HIV
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