From
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/medicalinfo/sti/pub-AIDS-HIV.xml

What are the symptoms?

Some people develop symptoms shortly after being infected. On average, it takes more than 10 years.

There are several stages of HIV disease. The first symptom of HIV disease is often swollen lymph glands in the throat, armpit, or groin. Other early symptoms include slight fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and swollen glands. They may only last for a few weeks. Then there are usually no symptoms for many years.

What are the later symptoms of HIV disease?

* a thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth (thrush) that is caused by a yeast infection and sometimes accompanied by a sore throat

* severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections

* chronic pelvic inflammatory disease or severe and frequent infections like herpes zoster

* periods of extreme and unexplained fatigue that may be combined with headaches, lightheadedness, and/or dizziness

* rapid loss of more than 10 pounds of weight that is not due to increased physical exercise or dieting

* bruising more easily than normal

* long-lasting bouts of diarrhea

* recurring fevers and/or night sweats

* swelling or hardening of glands located in the throat, armpit, or groin

* periods of continued, deep, dry coughing

* increasing shortness of breath

* the appearance of discolored or purplish growths on the skin or inside the mouth

* unexplained bleeding from growths on the skin, from mucous membranes, or from any opening in the body

* recurring or unusual skin rashes

* severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet, the loss of muscle control and reflex, paralysis, or loss of muscular strength

* an altered state of consciousness, personality change, or mental deterioration



and from
http://www.youandaids.org/About%20HIVAIDS/Symptoms/index.asp

Many people do not develop any symptoms when they first become infected with HIV. Some people, however, get a flu-like illness within three to six weeks after exposure to the virus. This illness, called Acute HIV Syndrome, may include fever, headache, tiredness, nausea, diarrhoea and enlarged lymph nodes (organs of the immune system that can be felt in the neck, armpits and groin). These symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for another viral infection.

Where can I get tested for HIV?

Tests are available from Planned Parenthood health centers and most physicians, hospitals, and health clinics. Local, state, and federal health departments offer free testing. Some have anonymous HIV counseling and testing sites. You can also buy an anonymous HIV home test kit in a drugstore or at www.homeaccess.com. Some testing sites now offer rapid testing that can provide results in less than an hour.

I am not a doctor. I do recommend getting tested if you are worried, there are free clinics in most cities that can do free and anonymous testing. If you were exposed to the HIV virus, it can take up to 6 months for the tests to detect the virus.

Edited by paulklemstine on June 5 2006 at 7:45 PM