ive never had them before. the first was after i had been taking antibiotics the 2nd was a month later before my period, i have been sexually active with my fiance we just started using spermicide condoms
i just recently had another right before my period. im paranoid that i have hiv, although i have other factors that could be contributing to this..do people with hiv get infections without possible causes? should i be worried? multiple yeast infections are a sign on HIV infection...but heres some info AND YES people with HIV get infections with no cause that's why it's called HIV---the virus attacks the bodies immune system...take the rapid test---go with your fiance and both take one so you can relieve your worry! i'm sure you're fine if you're both faithful and aren't IV drug users or have sex with IV drug users
Frequent or persistent cases of vaginal fungal infections known as "yeast" infections, or vaginal candidiasis, or monilia may sometimes be an early symptom of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, that causes AIDS. Most of the 13 million cases of vaginal candidiasis that occur annually do NOT have HIV as an underlying cause. Pregnancy, diabetes, contraceptive pills, and antibiotics are commonly linked to these fungal infections. However, women at risk for HIV infection should be aware of the possibility that recurrent or stubborn cases of vaginal candidiasis sometimes may be an early sign of HIV infection, and should check with a doctor.
The course of HIV varies greatly from one person to another. When untreated, the average time from transmission of HIV to death is 10 to 11 years. It can be shorter or longer. The main stages from transmission to advanced disease in an untreated person are:
Stage 1: Primary HIV Infection
Stage 2: Asymptomatic chronic infection
Stage 3: Symptomatic HIV infection
Stage 4: Advanced HIV Infection
Shortly after the transmission of HIV from one person to another, CD4 cells get destroyed. HIV multiplies itself at a rate of 10,000,000,000 virions per day. As a result, while the amount of virus in the blood increases, the amount of CD4 cells decreases. This initial stage is called "Primary HIV Infection". It is often characterized by flu-like signs and symptoms like fever, sore throat, swollen glands and cough. These signs and symptoms usually last a few weeks, but only about 20% of people will see a doctor because of them. Thus, the diagnosis is often missed during that stage.
It is also during the stage of "Primary HIV Infection" that the immune system tries to fight HIV and starts developing antibodies. The development of antibodies against HIV is called "seroconversion". Time to seroconversion is around 21 to 90 days. Periods of greater than 6 months to seroconversion have been reported. The tests that are used to diagnose HIV detect the presence of antibodies in the blood. An HIV test can, therefore, be negative (i.e., show that a person does not have HIV) if it is done before the body has had enough time to produce enough antibodies for the test to detect. This is why there is a 3-month period necessary between the time of transmission and the time the test is done, for the test to be accurate.
The next stage is called "Asymptomatic Chronic Infection". During this stage, people don鈥檛 feel sick, but the virus continues to attack and destroy the immune system. HIV can also become harder to treat. This stage usually lasts several years. Starting treatment against HIV prolongs that stage so that people live longer and healthier.
The following stages are called "Symptomatic Infection" and "Advanced Stage". During these stages, the body鈥檚 immune system is too weak to fight infections that would normally be easily fought. The infected person becomes very sick. Other health problems may also develop. Several types of problems can happen to the lungs, the skin, the nerves and the digestive system. In the "Advanced stage", the body looses the fight to opportunistic infections, tumors, wasting, and neurological complications. |
