5 Symptoms of HIV in Men to Watch Out for
Symptoms of HIV in men are actually different from the symptoms experienced by women. Men infected with HIV, especially accompanied by other sexually transmitted infections, can experience typical symptoms, ranging from sores on the penis to swelling of the testicles.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a viral infection that is transmitted through the body fluids of the sufferer, either through blood or sperm. This disease carries the risk of being transmitted through unprotected sex or by having multiple sexual partners and using the same needles as other people.
Although not much different from the symptoms of HIV in women, the symptoms of HIV in men can occur in the sex organs and usually appear when the sufferer's immune system decreases.
Several Symptoms of HIV in Men to Watch Out For
When the HIV virus enters the body, sufferers do not immediately experience specific symptoms. Symptoms usually appear 2–4 weeks after the body is infected with the HIV virus, then disappear and may recur later.
Complaints that appear in the early stages are similar to flu symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. Even so, the actual symptoms of HIV that arise can vary for each sufferer, depending on age, immune system, and the amount and resistance of the virus.
The early stage of HIV infection is known as the window period which can last for months. Over time, the virus can continue to grow in the body and last for years
If you don't get treatment, HIV infection will enter an advanced stage which can develop into AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). In this phase, the body's ability to fight disease is reduced so that sufferers are susceptible to certain infections or diseases, such as tuberculosis and even cancer.
The following are some of the symptoms of HIV in men to watch out for:
1. Injuries to the penis
Signs of HIV in men can be sores on the penis. Basically, HIV can increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections, and vice versa. The main symptom of syphilis is sores on the penis. These sores are generally painless and accompanied by other symptoms, such as sores on the lips, anus, or hands.
2. Penis pain when urinating
Symptoms of HIV in men are also often accompanied by symptoms of other sexually transmitted infections, for example gonorrhea and chlamydia. Both can cause symptoms in the form of pain or a burning sensation when urinating
3. Swelling of the testes
Symptoms of HIV accompanied by chlamydia or gonorrhea run the risk of causing swelling of the testicles, especially if all of these sexually transmitted infections are not treated promptly. This condition is usually known as epididymitis
4. Pain during ejaculation
Pain during ejaculation is also often a symptom of HIV in men that needs to be watched out for. This condition is known as dysorgasmia which is the main symptom of sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis.
5. Decreased sexual desire
In very rare cases, HIV infection can also cause damage to the brain, to be precise in the pituitary gland. This gland plays an important role in producing reproductive hormones, including testosterone
If the pituitary gland in men is disturbed, this can reduce the amount of the hormone testosterone so that male sexual desire also decreases.
The symptoms of HIV in men above are not necessarily felt by all sufferers. The various signs above generally appear when HIV infection is accompanied by other sexually transmitted infections
However, at a more advanced stage, HIV infection can cause the immune system to weaken further so that sufferers are prone to complications, such as pneumonia, severe fungal infections of the skin and internal organs, and even severe malnutrition.
If various HIV symptoms in men appear with other typical signs of HIV, such as frequent fever, easy fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and drastic weight loss for no reason, the sufferer needs to immediately see a doctor to detect and get HIV treatment as early as possible.
That way, the risk of AIDS and other complications can be reduced and sufferers can still lead a normal life.
Label : Health
Comments
Post a Comment