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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It True To Have Flu Like Symptoms As Early Signs Of HIV Infection?

i have heard that after initial hiv infection, a person may have flu like symptoms. i had unprotected intercourse and five days later i came down with a terrible cold or flu. could i have been infected? i cough up thick yellowish mucus as well. is this a symptom of ARS?
Mon, 14 Apr 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello dear,

First of all, HIV infection cannot be diagnosed only on the basis of symptoms.
The symptoms as mentioned in your post can be attributed to Lower respiratory tract infection.
Investigations like complete blood count & X ray of chest will be helpful in clinching the diagnosis.
It can be managed by a course of antibiotics.
Kindly consult your GP/ Pulmonologist for proper clinical examination.

However, to relieve your concern regarding HIV infection, you can undergo certain tests like p24 assay or PCR for HIV, which becomes positive within a week and are almost 100 % sensitive.
Even the presence of a single virus in the body can be detected by PCR.
So, if this test comes negative, you can be sure that you are safe.

Wishing you a good health.
Take care.
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Is It True To Have Flu Like Symptoms As Early Signs Of HIV Infection?

Hello dear, First of all, HIV infection cannot be diagnosed only on the basis of symptoms. The symptoms as mentioned in your post can be attributed to Lower respiratory tract infection. Investigations like complete blood count & X ray of chest will be helpful in clinching the diagnosis. It can be managed by a course of antibiotics. Kindly consult your GP/ Pulmonologist for proper clinical examination. However, to relieve your concern regarding HIV infection, you can undergo certain tests like p24 assay or PCR for HIV, which becomes positive within a week and are almost 100 % sensitive. Even the presence of a single virus in the body can be detected by PCR. So, if this test comes negative, you can be sure that you are safe. Wishing you a good health. Take care.