Can You Have HIV And Not Know?
Based in Princeton-Plainsboro, New Jersey, Arunima Mamidi M.D. and Richard Porwancher M.D. run a private practice aimed at delivering personalized medical services to their patients.
You will see the same doctor every time you visit.
HIV: Is it Curable?
HIV infection is caused by Human Immunodeficiency virus. It occurs world-wide in several countries. There are two known strains. HIV-1 is the strain that occurs commonly in United States of America and other developed countries. HIV-2 is seen in African countries. The routes of transmission and risk factors for both the strains are similar. It is primarily a sexually transmitted disease, either heterosexual or homosexual. Unprotected sexual intercourse with multiple partners or with an infected partner are the major risk factors. Having another STD or history of STD increases the risk of HIV. Early diagnosis and treatment of STDs have been shown to reduce the incidence of HIV. Other modes of transmission include intravenous drug use, perinatal transmission, and very rarely blood products or contaminated equipment. There is an acute form of the disease (acute retroviral syndrome) and a chronic long standing infection that can be asymptomatic. AIDS/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is an advanced stage of HIV infection, wherein there is severe immunosuppression and occurrence of opportunistic infections. The symptoms can vary from person to person. There is no cure but there is effective treatment for HIV, to prevent progression to advanced stage and to prevent opportunistic infections.
If you suspect that you or a loved one may have HIV, it is crucial to get medical attention from an infectious diseases physician in Princeton-Plainsboro, New Jersey.
Don't delay in contacting an
infectious diseases physician
for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
HIV: Symptoms
HIV is caused by Human Immunodeficiency virus. Individuals with newly acquired infection or acute retroviral syndrome may be symptomatic within 2 to 4 weeks, but some may not have any symptoms at all. Acute HIV can cause a flu-like illness with fever, sore throat, night sweats, fatigue and may even cause a rash, mouth sores and swollen lymph nodes. This stage of infection is highly contagious.
If newly acquired HIV infection goes untreated, it can progress to a chronic infection. Even in individuals who do not have symptoms, HIV is still active and continues to replicate in the body and can be transmitted to others. Over time, it weakens the immune system. If symptoms do occur, they include weight loss, diarrhea, fatigue, intermittent fever, and swollen glands. Without treatment, this stage may last a decade or longer (slow progressors) or may progress faster (rapid progressors).
Individuals with advanced-stage HIV (AIDS) typically have a high amount of virus circulating in their body and severely damaged immune system. They can get opportunistic infections and other serious illnesses like cancer. Without treatment, the average life span of people with advanced AIDS is 3 years after diagnosis. So, early diagnosis and treatment are very important.
Princeton Infectious Diseases Associates
can diagnose and treat all stages of HIV. Our experienced infectious disease clinicians can diagnose complex cases and treat serious complications from HIV.
If you have flu-like symptoms and think you may have been exposed to HIV, get tested.
Don't wait to seek medical help if you are concerned about HIV.
Contact an infectious diseases doctor today.
HIV: Prevention and Treatment
Condoms are highly effective at preventing HIV and other STDs.
PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis is a medicine that reduces the chance of acquiring HIV from sex or injection drug use. It can stop the virus from spreading throughout the body. It is highly effective if used as prescribed. Talk to your partners and friends about PrEP.
PEP or post-exposure prophylaxis means taking medications to prevent HIV after an exposure like sexual assault or during consensual sex (ex: if condom broke), sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. The medication must be started within 72 hours of possible exposure. PEP is taken daily for 28 days. PEP is not a substitute for using standard methods to prevent HIV.
Treatment of HIV infected individuals requires specialized care. Early treatment ensures healthier life. Treatment works best when patient is compliant and committed. Treatment leads to undetectable viral load that in turn prevents transmission to HIV negative partners or transmission to unborn child during pregnancy. There are two types of treatment: pills and injections. The pill regimen can be as simple as one pill a day. Talk to an Infectious Diseases specialist about injections.
Don't wait any longer, make an appointment with an infectious diseases specialist today and take the first step towards treatment.
What Is The Most Accurate Test For HIV?
Testing & Diagnosis
HIV testing can break the cycle of infection. The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. HIV is easy to diagnose with blood tests. Tests on oral fluid are also available and are used for self testing. Fast and confidential testing is available in every community. All the local laboratories perform these tests.
The available tests are antibody tests, antigen/antibody tests, and nucleic acid tests (NAT). Antibody testing can be performed on blood obtained from a vein or finger stick or oral fluid. Only HIV self test approved by FDA is antibody test. A rapid antibody test done from a finger stick or oral fluid can give results in 30 minutes or less. An antigen/antibody test is performed in labs on blood drawn from a vein and takes few days to be resulted. A rapid antigen/antibody test done from blood from a finger stick is also available and takes 30 minutes or less. NAT is performed in a lab from blood drawn from a vein. This test can tell how much virus is present in the blood and can detect HIV sooner than other types of tests. NAT takes several days to be resulted.
No test can detect HIV immediately after infection because there is an incubation period for the virus to start replicating. The window period or the time between HIV exposure and when a test can detect the virus depends on the type of the test. You must consult and Infectious diseases specialist to discuss about what test is appropriate.
Your doctor will also ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical exam.
