how long one could wait after hiv positive diagnosis before starting treatment?

How long can I wait before starting treatment HIV?

What should you do if diagnosed with HIV?

What happens after HIV diagnosis?

How long can the first stage of HIV infection last in most cases?

What is HIV treatment?

HIV treatment involves taking medicine that reduces the amount of HIV in your body. HIV medicine is called antiretroviral therapy (ART). There is n...

When should I start treatment?

Start Treatment As Soon As Possible After Diagnosis HIV medicine is recommended for all people with HIV, regardless of how long they’ve had the vir...

What if I delay treatment?

HIV will continue to harm your immune system. This will put you at higher risk for developing AIDS. Learn more about AIDS and opportunistic infecti...

What are the benefits of taking my HIV medicine every day as prescribed?

Treatment Reduces the Amount of HIV in the Blood The amount of HIV in the blood is called viral load. Taking your HIV medicine as prescribed will h...

Does HIV medicine cause side effects?

HIV medicine can cause side effects in some people. However, not everyone experiences side effects. The most common side effects are Nausea and vom...

Will HIV treatment interfere with my hormone therapy?

There are no known drug interactions between HIV medicine and hormone therapy. Talk to your health care provider if you are worried about taking HI...

What if my treatment is not working?

Your health care provider may change your prescription. A change is not unusual because the same treatment does not affect everyone in the same way.

Sticking to my treatment plan is hard. How can I deal with the challenges?

Tell your health care provider right away if you’re having trouble sticking to your plan. Together you can identify the reasons you’re skipping med...

How long does it take to get HIV under control?

There is no effective cure for HIV. But with proper medical care, you can control HIV. Most people can get the virus under control within six months. Taking HIV medicine does not prevent transmission of other sexually transmitted diseases.

How long does it take to cure HIV?

There is no effective cure for HIV. But with proper medical care, you can control HIV. Most people can get the virus under control within six months. Taking HIV medicine does not prevent transmission of other sexually transmitted diseases.

Does HIV harm the immune system?

HIV will continue to harm your immune system. This will put you at higher risk for developing AIDS. Learn more about AIDS and opportunistic infections. This will put you at higher risk for transmitting HIV to your sexual and injection partners.

How does HIV treatment reduce HIV?

Treatment Reduces the Amount of HIV in the Blood. The amount of HIV in the blood is called viral load. Taking your HIV medicine as prescribed will help keep your viral load low and your CD4 cell count high. HIV medicine can make the viral load very low (called viral suppression ). Viral suppression is defined as having less than 200 copies ...

What is the amount of HIV in the blood called?

The amount of HIV in the blood is called viral load . Taking your HIV medicine as prescribed will help keep your viral load low and your CD4 cell count high. HIV medicine can make the viral load very low (called viral suppression ). Viral suppression is defined as having less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood.

Does HIV medicine help with CD4?

Taking your HIV medicine as prescribed will help keep your viral load low and your CD4 cell count high. HIV medicine can make the viral load very low (called viral suppression ). Viral suppression is defined as having less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood.

What does it mean when your HIV is low?

HIV medicine can make the viral load so low that a test can’t detect it (called an undetectable viral load ). If your viral load goes down after starting HIV treatment, that means treatment is working. Continue to take your medicine as prescribed.

Can you pass HIV if you are on treatment?

It’s common for people to feel apprehensive about taking treatment but all you need to remember is that: It will enable you to live a normal lifespan. When you're on effective treatment (meaning you have been taking it as prescribed for at least six months and are undetectable) you won't be able to pass on HIV.

Can you take a few days off work for HIV?

It can also put you in an uncomfortable position if your co-workers don’t know about your HIV status. Ask your doctor if the treatment prescribed to you is likely to cause side effects. Just to be safe, take a few days off work as you begin your treatment.

How does HIV treatment work?

The advantages of taking HIV treatment: 1 Once your viral load is undetectable, you cannot pass on HIV to partners. (It might take up to six months on treatment to become undetectable.) 2 You may have less illness, if HIV has been making you ill. 3 The treatment will stop HIV from reproducing in your body. 4 Your immune system will get stronger.

Can HIV be treated without treatment?

Without treatment, nearly everyone with HIV becomes ill. If you're not on effective HIV treatment, the virus can attack and weaken your immune system (the body’s natural defense against infections). Over time, when HIV has done a lot of damage to your immune system, you're likely to become vulnerable to infections that you would otherwise have been ...

What happens if you don't get HIV?

If you're not on effective HIV treatment, the virus can attack and weaken your immune system (the body’s natural defense against infections). Over time, when HIV has done a lot of damage to your immune system, you're likely to become vulnerable to infections that you would otherwise have been able to fight off.

Does HIV cause inflammation?

HIV also causes inflammation in various parts of the body. This can increase the risk of a number of illnesses: cardiovascular disease (for example, heart attack and stroke), kidney or liver problems and some cancers. The damage that HIV causes happens slowly, often over a number of years. Treatment protects you.

Can HIV be passed on?

A person with HIV who is taking treatment and has an undetectable viral load cannot pass on HIV and can expect to live a normal lifespan.

Do you have to tell your doctor about HIV?

Other than your HIV doctor, you almost never are required to tell your other doctors , dentist, nurse, or other health specialists. But they may be better able to take care of you if they have a full picture of your health. Family and friends. For the most part, this is your call.

Can you open up about HIV?

But opening up about your HIV may bring you emotional and other support , as well as help during your treatment or medical emergencies. Employers. Your boss and company do not have a right to know about your HIV status unless there is a valid concern about accidental exposure to blood and other safety issues.

Do employers know if you have HIV?

Employers. Your boss and company do not have a right to know about your HIV status unless there is a valid concern about accidental exposure to blood and other safety issues. And if you’re worried about possible discrimination, it may be best not to tell.

Do HIV positive people feel sick?

Even though you’re HI V-positive, you might not feel sick or any different. But it’s important to get a thorough medical evaluation so you can track how your health changes over time. Your doctor also uses the information to decide which medications might work best for you and the right time to start taking them.

Do you have to disclose HIV to a doctor?

Twelve states require you to disclose your HIV to anyone who shares your needle to inject drugs. Health care professionals. Other than your HIV doctor, you almost never are required to tell your other doctors, dentist, nurse, or other health specialists.

Do you have to tell everyone about HIV?

Tell Certain People. You don’t have to share your HIV diagnosis with everyone. But some people may have a legal right to know. You may want to tell others voluntarily. Sexual partners. New York, Georgia, Ohio, and 16 other states require you to disclose your HIV before you have sex with someone.

Do you have to disclose HIV status to someone?

Only Indiana and North Carolina require you to notify previous sexual partners. Even if it’s not mandatory, consider disclosing your HIV status to people whose safety may depend on it. Needle sharers.

Does HIV cause lymphoma?

People with HIV are at increased risk for cancers like lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma, according to the START trial. But the study found that people with HIV who started treatment with antiretroviral therapy earlier rather than later reduced their risk for Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Does HIV affect the immune system?

But people with HIV have a weakened immune system that leaves them vulnerable to certain opportunistic infections, like thrush. There are more than 20 types of opportunistic infections, and developing one means you’ve transitioned to an AIDS diagnosis. Antiretroviral therapy can raise your CD4 count to help your immune system fight these infections, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Does CD4 count go up?

Your CD4 count goes up once you start antiretroviral therapy, according to the START trial results. The findings show that starting treatment early means fewer serious AIDS-related and non-AIDS-related health complications. “If you wait to start treatment, you will likely have more problems than if you don’t wait,” says Michael Kolber, MD, PhD, the director of the Comprehensive AIDS Program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida. “HIV is a virus that preys upon your inability to take care of yourself.”

Can HIV be cured?

While HIV still cannot be cured, people newly diagnosed with HIV who get treated and stay in care can be expected to have near-normal to normal life expectancies. As with other chronic diseases, early detection is key to identifying and treating the infection as soon as possible. 2 .

What happens if you leave HIV untreated?

In all but a few rare cases, if left untreated, HIV will progress to a stage of infection called AIDS. This is when the immune defenses have been compromised, and the body is less able to defend itself against potentially life-threatening infections. 2:51.

What is genetic HIV?

The genetic strain of HIV a person has been infected with (some of which may be more or less virulent than others) The general health of the individual. The place where the person lives (including healthcare access and the incidence of other diseases or infections) A person's genetics or family history.

How long does it take for HIV to show up?

However, it can sometimes take months to years for any symptoms to appear. Without treatment, HIV can be life threatening. However, modern medicine allows many people with HIV to live perfectly normal lives. The key is to detect and start treating the condition as early as possible.

How long does it take for HIV symptoms to show?

The first symptoms of HIV tend to appear around 2–4 weeks after a person’s exposure to the virus. However, it can sometimes take months to years for any symptoms to appear.

What is the final stage of HIV?

HIV is a virus that causes a condition of the same name. Its final stage is AIDS, which is a serious condition that occurs when there has been significant damage to a person’s immune system. HIV spreads through sexual fluids, blood, and breast milk. In 2015, statistics suggested that 94%. Trusted Source.

What are the stages of HIV?

stage 1, or acute HIV infection. stage 2, or chronic HIV infection. stage 3, or AIDS. These different stages do not take a set amount of time to progress. The rate at which a person’s HIV progresses depends on many different factors, including the effects of the medication they are taking.

What are the symptoms of stage 2 HIV?

Trusted Source. , the following can be symptoms of chronic HIV infection: vaginal candidiasis, a yeast infection. oral hairy leukoplakia, which causes white, fuzzy-looking patches on the tongue. shingles. nerve damage, or neuropathy.

What are the symptoms of HIV?

, the following can be symptoms of chronic HIV infection: vaginal candidiasis, a yeast infection. oral hairy leukoplakia, which causes white, fuzzy-looking patches on the tongue. shingles. nerve damage, or neuropathy. cervical dysplasia.

What is the normal CD4 count for HIV?

Their function is to protect the body from disease-causing microbes. HIV infects these cells, making them unable to carry out their function. A normal CD4 count is 500–1,400.

When Do Symptoms Occur?

Some people have flu-like symptoms within two to four weeks after infection, but others may not feel sick or not develop symptoms at all until later.

How to Tell If Symptoms Are HIV

An NAT involves drawing blood from a vein. It can tell if you have HIV or how much virus is present in your blood.

What to Expect Next

If you find out you are HIV-positive, it’s important to keep in mind the condition is treatable. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended for all people with HIV, regardless of how long they’ve had the virus or how healthy they are. It works by lowering the amount of virus in the body to very low levels.

A Word From Verywell

Early diagnosis is vital to slowing the progression of HIV. If you are in a high-risk group, it is recommended that you get tested every three to six months. A number of tests are available, including at-home options, for you to get your results.

Can you get HIV after 72 hours?

No HIV test can detect HIV immediately after infection. If you think you’ve been exposed to HIV, in the last 72 hours, talk to your health care provider about post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), right away. The time between when a person gets HIV and when a test can accurately detect it is called the window period.

How long does it take for HIV to show up on a blood test?

Types of HIV Tests and Their Window Periods. Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) —A NAT can usually tell you if you have HIV infection 10 to 33 days after exposure. Antigen/Antibody Test —An antigen/antibody test performed by a laboratory on blood from a vein can usually detect HIV infection 18 to 45 days after exposure.

How long does it take to get HIV results?

If it’s a rapid test, you may be able to wait for the results, but if it’s a laboratory test, it can take several days for your results to be available.

How long does it take to get blood test results?

If it’s a rapid test, you may be able to wait for the results, but if it’s a laboratory test, it can take several days for your results to be available. Your health care provider or counselor may talk ...

Can you get HIV tested outside of a lab?

If you are tested outside of a health care setting or lab (such as at a community-based organization, mobile testing van, or elsewhere) you will likely receive a rapid HIV test (oral fluid or finger stick.) If the test comes back negative, and you haven’t had a possible exposure during ...

Can you get HIV if you have a finger stick?

If you are tested outside of a health care setting or lab (such as at a community-based organization, mobile testing van, or elsewhere) you will likely receive a rapid HIV test (oral fluid or finger stick.) If the test comes back negative, and you haven’t had a possible exposure during the previous 3 months, you can be confident you don’t have HIV.

What to do if your HIV test is positive?

If your test result is positive, you should go to a health care provider to get follow-up testing. Counselors providing the test should be able to answer questions and provide referrals for follow-up testing as well. You can use the HIV.gov locator to find a provider near you.

How long does it take for HIV to show up?

Trusted Source. , primary HIV symptoms may show up two to four weeks after initial exposure. Symptoms can continue for up to several weeks. However, some people may exhibit the symptoms only for a few days. People with early HIV sometimes don’t show any symptoms, yet they can still transmit the virus to others.

How long does it take for HIV symptoms to show?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source. , primary HIV symptoms may show up two to four weeks after initial exposure. Symptoms can continue for up to several weeks. However, some people may exhibit the symptoms only for a few days.

Does HIV appear overnight?

However, unlike what may occur with infections by other types of viruses, HIV symptoms don’t suddenly appear and peak overnight.

Can HIV symptoms peak overnight?

However, unlike what may occur with infections by other types of viruses, HIV symptoms don’t suddenly appear and peak overnight. If left untreated, the disease progresses over time through three stages, each with its own set of possible symptoms and complications — some severe.

What is the first stage of HIV?

The first noticeable stage is primary HIV infection. This stage is also called acute retroviral syndrome (ARS), or acute HIV infection. Because HIV infection at this stage usually causes flu-like symptoms, it’s possible for someone in this stage to think their symptoms are due to a severe flu rather than HIV. Fever is the most common symptom.

Can you get ARS if you have HIV?

ARS is common once a person has HIV. Still, this isn’t the case for everyone. Some people have HIV for years before they know they have it. According to HIV.gov, symptoms of HIV may not appear for a decade or longer. This doesn’t mean that cases of HIV without symptoms are less serious. Also, a person who doesn’t experience symptoms could still transmit HIV to others.

Can HIV be transmitted without symptoms?

This doesn’t mean that cases of HIV without symptoms are less serious. Also, a person who doesn’t experience symptoms could still transmit HIV to others. Symptoms in early HIV tend to appear if the rate of cell destruction is high.