Pros Of Hiv Testing

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Get the Facts

Acute HIV Infection

What Is Acute HIV Infection? The amount of HIV in the blood gets very high within a few days or weeks after HIV infection. Some people get a flu-like illness. This first stage of HIV disease is called "acute HIV infection" or "primary HIV infection." About half of the people who get infected don't notice anything. Symptoms generally occur within 2 to 4 weeks. The most common symptoms are fever, fatigue, and rash. Others include headache,...

Ask the Experts

Pros & Cons From Not Taking Medications

I have recently tested HIV positive. I take no medication. What are the pros & cons of continuing without medication. Can a person within their first year of HIV encounter significant medical issues, if so, what might they be? Currently my...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

The current threshold for recommending starting antiretroviral therapy in the US for asymptomatic patients is a CD4 count < 350. There is yet no consensus as to whether it is overall benefical to start ART at higher CD4 counts partly since short... Read more »

Flu Vaccine Pros and Cons

What do you think: How necessary do you think it is that someone with HIV get a flu vaccine? Should someone on treatment also get a vaccine? Are there any dangers to flu vaccines?Thanks!...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Influenza kills thousands of Americans every year. This is largely a vaccine-preventable illness and I believe very strongly that all HIV infected persons (and their household contacts) should get annual vaccinations. Having once had influenza, I... Read more »

Should I start treatment? Pros/cons of two suggested treatments

Dear Dr.I have been living with HIV for almost a year. I am sure I got infected last summer, and I have been monitoring my CD4/viral load level since January. I am currently living in the US, but I am not a resident and I may eventually need to go...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hi,For folks with counts similar to yours, there are no absolute rules for when to begin combination antiretroviral therapy. Many factors come into play: published guidelines; the potential benefit of decreasing HIV replication (viral load) and... Read more »

Flu Vaccine Pros and Cons

What do you think: How necessary do you think it is that someone with HIV get a flu vaccine? Should someone on treatment also get a vaccine? Are there any dangers to flu vaccines?Thanks!...

Response from David Wohl, M.D.

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

I think it is a no-brainer. The flu vaccine is very effective and safe. Real flu, not that sniffle you had last year that you called the flu, is a major illness that kills (as in dead) tens of thousands of Americans each year. When you get it you... Read more »

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from the pros

Posted by worried22yo, 2 Replies

Hey guys. Have a dr. apptmnt monday and may do a home access, what do u think? Oh and my fave guy om the Body wrote me, made me feel a lil better. check it out!!

http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Fatigue/Current/Q96075.qna

Good luck to everyone! Read more »

Need help with testing from the pros

Posted by Anonymous

I had a recent exposure (unprotecd vaginal and oral) with a woman of unknown status. I want to get tested but I'm not sure which route to choose and how long to wait. I have talked with several testing facilities and my doctor and I'm still confused... Read more »

Hiv/test

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

How long after sexual contact should you wait to have an Hiv test,to have an accurate result? I've hear 6 months is long enough but should I wait longer?

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Testing for Hiv-accuracy of test after Exposure!!!

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Anyone please help with this one!! IF you had a possible exposure to Hiv, how long Before Tests will pick up the infection, and how accurate are the rapid Hiv tests against the Elisa tests? If you are Elisa negative at 8 weeks after infection and 12... Read more »

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