Contents:
- Medical Video: Medical Conditions & Symptoms : What Are the First Symptoms of HIV?
- What is meant by HIV fever?
- What causes HIV fever?
- 1. Acute HIV condition
- 2. Opportunistic infections
- 3. Cancer
- How long can a fever last in the patient's body?
- How is the right treatment for this condition?
Medical Video: Medical Conditions & Symptoms : What Are the First Symptoms of HIV?
People who have HIV generally experience a decrease in the immune system. That is why people with HIV / AIDS (PLWHA) are easily attacked by various diseases. Well, various types of diseases can be characterized by the appearance of high fever in people living with HIV. This condition is often referred to as HIV fever.
What is meant by HIV fever?
Like other types of viruses, the HIV virus can spread and infect someone in various ways. When someone has been positively attacked by HIV, various symptoms will arise. Ranging from mild to severe. For example, often sweating at night, joint pain, sore throat, body shivering, reddened skin, and decreased weight.
Well, one of the most common symptoms of HIV disease is fever. Yes, the fever that occurs is quite high compared to fever in general, it can even be accompanied by a great feeling of cold (feverish). Behind this, there are several reasons for HIV fever.
What causes HIV fever?
There are various reasons underlying an HIV sufferer can experience a fever. It may be a form of negative reaction from the consumption of drugs, as well as a symptom of other medical conditions. But in addition, there are other things that can also trigger HIV fever, including:
1. Acute HIV condition
A person who has just contracted HIV is considered to be in the initial phase of infection. This phase is often referred to as acute or primary HIV infection. Usually, new HIV symptoms will begin to appear about two to four weeks after the virus enters a person's body.
As mentioned earlier, these symptoms can include fever accompanied by sore throats, rashes, night sweats, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
Actually it is still relatively normal, because fever is an immune response to a viral infection. So, when someone is infected with acute HIV, then fever acts as a sign that the immune system is still functioning properly.
2. Opportunistic infections
For people who have had HIV for quite a long time to develop into AIDS, HIV fever can be a sign of an opportunistic infection. This infection can occur because the body's system is weak, resulting in difficulties in fighting infection.
Some types of opportunistic infections from mild to serious, include:
- Pneumonia
- Tuberculosis
- Bronchitis
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Herpes simplex
- Candidiasis
- Herpes esophagitis
3. Cancer
Serious HIV complications can actually grow cancer cells in the body, especially for people living with HIV whose immune system has greatly decreased. This then causes cancer cells to easily grow and develop.
ODHA are more at risk of developing cancer that can cause fever, for example:
- Lymphoma
- Cervical cancer
- Kaposi sarcoma
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
How long can a fever last in the patient's body?
The duration of HIV fever is not always the same for everyone. This depends on the cause and the way it is done to overcome it. Not only that, HIV fever can also take place at any time and the pattern is uncertain. The reason is, the initial stages of HIV disease usually last within a matter of months.
For example, fever that occurs is caused by an opportunistic infection, so the length of time can be triggered by the type of infection, treatment, and the condition of your own body. However, when a fever is caused by a reaction from the consumption of drugs, the length of time depends on the type of drug, the length of time the drug is taken, and the condition of the patient.
How is the right treatment for this condition?
Treatment for people with HIV fever is usually based on the severity and causes, but in many cases it is recommended to increase rest and provide for body fluids.
Consumption of several drugs such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen, can also be another option. If HIV fever is caused by an opportunistic infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, antivirals, or other appropriate types of drugs.
Indeed, most fever is classified as mild and can disappear by itself. But in some cases, fever can be a sign of a serious problem that requires special care.
In essence, early diagnosis and treatment are believed to help relieve fever and symptoms. That is why, people who experience recurrent fever are suspicious, as well as people with HIV who have a fever, you should not delay to consult the condition immediately to the doctor, along with the best treatment.
Someone who has been diagnosed with HIV, must immediately consult the medical conditions experienced by the doctor. This may be a sign of an opportunistic infection or a problem with the treatment being taken. Because if it is not immediately treated, it is possible that the health condition will get worse.
