Email 395: You Know What to Do!

Posted by Pozziepinoy on 7:37 PM
Hi pozzie,

Now i'm confused. I read one article on your blog about ARV or acute HIV symptoms and another article of yours (just posted today) telling that some symptoms like cold, flu, swollen lypmh node, etc. do not equate of having HIV. So, when are we going to consider the acute HIV symptoms? Are they still reliable/helpful?
POZZIEPINOY’S RESPONSE

Hi.

Thank you for your email.

Once again, let me tell every one that HIV has non specific symptoms, thus doctors don't look at the symptoms but on the result of the HIV test to diagnose HIV ONLY.

Any acute viral or bacterial infection can cause flu like symptoms. For instance a cold virus can cause fever, body malaise and swollen lymph nodes. Does this mean that one has HIV? 
Differential diagnosis then is very important, and the only way to differentiate HIV from any other viruses or bacterial infection for that matter is the result of the HIV test ONLY.

The reason for the blog posts is not to confuse anyone but to be direct in saying this fact:
HIV can't be diagnosed by any kind of symptoms. ONLY THE HIV TEST CAN DIAGNOSE HIV.

So please, stop focusing on symptoms. Stop analysing if you have acute HIV infection. Stop thinking that you have HIV because you have a cold, fever, cough, migraine, muscle pain, rashes, joint pains, enlarged lymph nodes, frequent bouts of illnesses, mouth sores, headaches, tremors, etc, etc, etc. Our doctors spent years and years of studying and practicing with patients and never have they diagnosed HIV based on symptoms. If this is the case, then we won't be promoting HIV test anymore, right? 

It's simple. If you had unprotected sex, take the HIV test. If you have shared needles with anyone, take the HIV test. If you think you have been exposed to HIV, take the HIV test. DO NOT FOCUS ON SYMPTOMS. FOCUS ON HOW YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED. And if you have been exposed, then you know what to do.

I hope I was able to answer your concerns. Feel free to email me again if you have other questions.


Stay healthy,
Pozziepinoy







"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"

-Pozziepinoy-



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