29 years
What is the difference between flu-like symptoms (primary HIV infection) and actual flu? I am worried coz its day 8 post my dodgy sexual encounter.
Dec 26, 2014
Flu symptoms caused by a regular virus cannot be discerned from those caused by a compromise in the immune symptoms do to invasion by HIV, especially during this time of year where flu viruses circulate at high rates.
HIV symptoms usually don't appear before a so called window period, which averages between 2-4 weeks post exposure. The presenting symptoms, which may or may not occur, are flu-like symptoms (fatigue, fever, malaise, runny nose etc.).
If the HIV status of your sexual partner is unknown, here's what you need to do, keeping in mind that most HIV tests diagnose HIV infection by detecting antibodies produced by an individual's immune system upon exposure to HIV. However, in order for those antibodies to be present in large enough numbers to be detected by the antibody HIV test, this takes some time. The window period varies among different individuals from 2 to 8 weeks or longer, with the average being about 25 days. But this can vary from person to person so a good rule of thumb to follow is if you get a negative test result less than 3 months after potential exposure, you should get another test after 3 months time. While about 97% of people develop HIV antibodies after an infection, it may take 6 months to produce antibodies in some cases. In general, it is recommended to do HIV testing after a potential exposure at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
If the HIV status of your sexual partner is unknown, here's what you need to do, keeping in mind that most HIV tests diagnose HIV infection by detecting antibodies produced by an individual's immune system upon exposure to HIV. However, in order for those antibodies to be present in large enough numbers to be detected by the antibody HIV test, this takes some time. The window period varies among different individuals from 2 to 8 weeks or longer, with the average being about 25 days. But this can vary from person to person so a good rule of thumb to follow is if you get a negative test result less than 3 months after potential exposure, you should get another test after 3 months time. While about 97% of people develop HIV antibodies after an infection, it may take 6 months to produce antibodies in some cases. In general, it is recommended to do HIV testing after a potential exposure at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.
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