HIV/AIDS: Symptoms, Testing, and Treatment Options
The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. Early detection allows for timely treatment, which can help people live long, healthy lives.
How to Know Your Status
- Get tested. HIV tests are widely available at clinics, doctors' offices, and community health centers. Many offer rapid, confidential results.
- Watch for symptoms. Early HIV infection may cause flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, night sweats, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, rash, diarrhea, nausea). However, many people have no symptoms for years.
- Talk to your doctor. If you have symptoms or risk factors, a healthcare provider can order tests and discuss prevention or treatment.
Treatment and Outlook
While there's no cure for HIV, antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses the virus, preserves immune function, and prevents transmission. With consistent treatment, people with HIV can have a near-normal life expectancy.
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