Getting infected with HIV may be the worst nightmare anyone could have. But HIV infection is a reality for many people around the world. HIV or human immunodeficiency virus is a virus that slowly replicates in the body. When someone has this virus, his or her immune system breaks down. This makes the body susceptible to cancer and the dreaded AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.  The symptoms of HIV infection may vary from one patient to another, although there are some early warning signs that people should be cautious of.

Signs of HIV

Usually, people who are infected with HIV experience flu-like symptoms. The sufferer often does not have any clue that he has the virus because the flu could be mistaken for a general flue or even respiratory infection. But the patient will be sick with flu-like symptoms like headache, fever, fatigue, rashes and swollen lymph nodes. In some cases, the patient will suffer from joint and muscle pain, sore throat and ulcers that are found on the genitals and in the mouth.

What’s scary about HIV infection is that the symptoms can be felt a month or two months after the infection. In some cases, the symptoms can even be felt a year after. In fact, some people don’t even experience the early symptoms of HIV infection!

This happens during the latent phase during which the virus is not active in the body. The latent phase can even last for a decade. During this period, people with HIV do not exhibit any signs or symptoms of being sick. But when the HIV infection progresses to AIDS, symptoms like fever, fatigue, nausea and vomiting will slowly become apparent.

HIV infection is really complex because the symptoms will not show up immediately. Most people with HIV were surprised to learn that they have the dreaded virus because they appear healthy most of the time.

Controlling HIV Symptoms

But do you know that the symptoms of HIV infection can be controlled through certain medications?  Drugs like Atripla and Truvada can enable a patient to lessen the amount of HIV in the body so that the immune system can recover and work better.  Through these medications, the chances of the HIV progressing into AIDS and cancer can be lowered while improving the quality of life of the patient.

Atripla is taken orally on an empty stomach once a day. Doctors often advise that this drug is taken during bedtime to decrease the chances of side effects like dizziness, drowsiness and difficulty in concentrating. These side effects often trouble patients a day or two after beginning the medication.

Truvada is like Atripla as it is taken on empty stomach daily. Dosage is depending on the kidney function and the medical condition of the patient, as well as his or her response to HIV treatment.  It can also cause side effects like diarrhea, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, back pain and difficulty in sleeping.

People who have HIV can use these medications as prescribed by their physicians. Use of these drugs can decrease the risk of the patients spreading the virus to others, especially if they take other precautionary measures like using condoms during sexual intercourse and not sharing personal items like needles and syringes that may cause transfer of blood and other body fluids that can cause HIV infection.