HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, affects women differently than men due to biological, social, and cultural factors. In many regions, women face greater barriers to accessing healthcare, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Women may experience unique symptoms such as frequent vaginal infections, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and abnormal menstrual cycles.
Additionally, HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, highlighting the importance of prenatal care and prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs. Societal stigma surrounding HIV often affects women disproportionately, leading to discrimination and isolation. It’s crucial for women to have access to comprehensive HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services, along with support networks to address the physical, emotional, and social aspects of living with HIV.
Fever, persistent or recurring fevers can be a symptom of HIV. Fatigue, feeling constantly tired or exhausted. Weight Loss, unexplained weight loss over time. Swollen Lymph Nodes, enlarged lymph nodes, particularly in the neck, armpits, or groin.Night Sweats, excessive sweating, especially at night, unrelated to room temperature. Skin Rash, rashes or skin lesions that may be itchy or painful. Yeast Infections, frequent or recurring vaginal yeast infections.Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID),HIV-positive women may be more susceptible to PID, which can cause pelvic pain and discomfort.
Irregular Menstrual Cycles,.changes in menstrual patterns, including heavier or lighter bleeding.Vaginal Infections, increased susceptibility to bacterial vaginosis or other vaginal infections.Persistent Diarrhea, frequent or chronic diarrhea that lasts for weeks.Persistent Thrush, oral thrush (white patches in the mouth) that does not go away.
Nausea and Vomiting, feeling nauseous or vomiting without an apparent cause.Neurological Symptoms, headaches, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, or neurological disorders. Frequent Infections, jncreased susceptibility to other infections due to a weakened immune system.It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so diagnosis should always be confirmed by a healthcare professional through testing.