27th May 2024

How Does HIV Manifest in Women?

It may appear surprising that HIV symptoms in women differ from those in men, but this is due to differences in anatomy and physiology.

HIV Symptoms in Women

After being exposed to HIV, the majority of infected people will develop a brief illness that resembles the flu and lasts one to two weeks. This is classified as stage 1, acute HIV infection, and the symptoms are:

• Fever;
• Chills;
• Rash;
• Night sweats;
• Muscles ache;
• Sore throat;
• Fatigue;
• Mouth ulcers;
• Coughing;
• Sneezing;
• Headaches.

This is induced by seroconversion, a period of time during which the virus replicates rapidly. This is followed by a period called mid-stage HIV, which can continue for up to ten years. This is mostly a phase of latency in which few, if any, symptoms occur. During this time, having enlarged or painful glands was the only sign of infection.

The third period is referred to as advanced HIV. The list of symptoms above may be common to both male and female HIV positives, but there are additional symptoms that women may experience.

• Swollen lymph nodes. Following an acute infection, swollen lymph nodes might be the first sign of an HIV infection. Swelling in the neck, directly under the jaw, and behind the ears, together with difficulty swallowing, all indicate the existence of swollen lymph nodes. This symptom can linger for a few days or several months;
• Vaginal candida (yeast) infections. HIV-induced immune system damage might make a woman more susceptible to candida (yeast) infections in the vagina, with symptoms including pain during sex, thick, white vaginal discharge, burning around the vagina and vulva, painful urination, severe itching, and rapid weight loss. If an HIV-positive person does not receive treatment, the infection can cause nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and poor food absorption, all of which lead to rapid weight loss;

• Mood changes and psychiatric symptoms. For some women, having an HIV-positive test might induce mood swings and neurological issues. This, in turn, can cause increased anxiety, tension, and, eventually, depression;
• HIV can cause unusual patches and lesions to emerge on the skin. These alterations can also appear on the mouth, genitals, and anus;
• Menstrual changes. For some women, being HIV-positive causes menstrual alterations, which might include heavier or lighter periods.  If this is accompanied by rapid weight loss, their periods may stop completely. Hormonal variations can cause issues commonly linked with periods, such as painful breasts, stomach cramps, and exhaustion, to fluctuate or worsen. Women with HIV may also experience severe premenstrual symptoms;
• Increased outbreaks of other sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs). If a person is already infected with another sexually transmitted infection, being HIV positive makes them more vulnerable to more severe and frequent outbreaks of the disease. For example, HPV (human papillomavirus), the virus that causes genital warts, is more active in patients with HIV. Furthermore, the standard drugs used to treat HPV may be less effective;
• Pelvic inflammatory disease, often known as PID, is an infection of the reproductive system, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. PID in HIV-positive women may be more difficult to treat, as outbreaks are more frequent and severe.

How Is HIV Diagnosed?

Early HIV diagnosis is critical for prognosis because there are now effective medications available to assist people manage HIV without consequences. There are various types of HIV tests available, albeit some may not detect the virus in the early stages of illness.

Available tests include:

• Antibody testing can detect HIV antibodies, which the immune system makes to fight the infection. Rapid tests for home use often check for antibodies and are unable to detect HIV early in the process;
• Antigen/antibody assays detect HIV antibodies and antigens or components of the virus in the bloodstream; however, these tests cannot detect HIV at an early stage;
• Nucleic acid tests are designed to detect HIV genetic material in the bloodstream and can provide an early result. As a result, if you suspect you have been exposed, this is the most trustworthy test to use.