The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an infection that targets the human immune system causing the person’s body system to be unable to resist infections and diseases. Over time HIV leads to a person developing AIDS.
Symptoms of HIV are not specific and often manifest themselves as similar to such illnesses as flu.
In addition many symptoms are similar in both men and women frequency of their occurrence may differ.
Though many HIV symptoms in women may be similar to those of men oftentimes gender specific symptoms may not be immediately identified as manifestations of HIV. This is mainly because the symptoms can be caused by other conditions as well.
It is for this reason that it is advisable to have yourself tested regularly.
HIV Symptoms In Women
Recurrent gynaecological infections are among the most common gender specific HIV symptoms in women.
Though these infections also are common in uninfected women, they occur with greater frequency and severity in infected women.
They include vaginal yeast infections and severe pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which are easily treated in most women become very persistent and non-responsive to standard treatment. As a woman’s continues to deteriorate PID becomes chronic.
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which causes genital warts and may lead to cervical cancer occurs with greater frequency in women with HIV. HPV is also associated with cervical dysplasia, which occurs with greater severity and is more like to recur after treatment in infected women.
Peculiar to HIV, are idiopathic (not cancerous or caused by an infectious organism) genital ulcers which are often confused with those caused by the herpes simplex virus.
There is no confirmed cure for these ulcers. Other infections that occur with higher frequency and greater severity are ordinary STDs such as Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis as well as bacterial vaginosis.
Menstrual irregularities are also not uncommon to HIV infected women. Usually women start to have missed periods which could continue to no periods at all.
Additional HIV Symptoms In Women To Look For
Swollen lymph nodes, a sign the body is fighting infection that has invaded it, appear usually in areas with joints such as armpits, groin area and neck.
Swollen lymph nodes due to HIV infection are different to other infections as they appear without any pain.
Unexplained weight loss mainly caused by loss of appetite and diarrhea is also very common among women, as well as men with HIV.
Commonly seen HIV symptoms in women are flu-like symptoms which may appear within weeks of infection.
These include sore throat, body aches, fever, fatigue and night sweats. It is thus very important to get proper diagnostic tests to confirm infection.
Take note of all the common HIV symptoms in women to better manage your risk of catching this disease.