One question we hear almost everyday is "Do I have HIV?". While the only way to know for sure is to get tested, there are certain signs and symptoms that can hint at the possibility that you have been infected with HIV. But don't despair because many of the symptoms common to HIV are common in other very common illnesses as well. If you think you have been exposed to HIV, get tested. It's really the only way to know for sure whether or not you have HIV.
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Forum Post of the Day
One Viewer Writes"I am a 45 year old gay male who was treated two weeks ago by the San Francisco General Hospital for PCP pneumonia where I found out I was hiv positive. I also had a staff infection they treated and packed wound, and repacked. My CD4 is only 51 and viral load is half a million. Why am I not being given immediate HIV antiviral medicine? Shouldn't I be be given some anitviral medicine right away? Or am I lost cause with such a low CD4 count and high viral load? I wish someone would be honest and just tell me."
I was in the same boat(with PCP & thrush in the hospital for 3 weeks) on October 2006. My CD4 was 21 and my viral load was over 650,000 and I was places on meds. immediately. I recommend another opinion and go to a HIV specialist after your discharge. I have been there and still alive and doing ok!
I was admitted to my local hospital on November 5, 2007 and found out that I was HIV + and that I had PCP Pneumonia. My cd4 count was 66 and viral load was a mill. at that time. They immediately got me on antiviral meds. Some didn’t work, and my tcell count was 34, so he got me on some new, more aggressive meds. Just last week, I found out my cd 4 count was 658 and my viral load went down to 920. Yes, you need to get a second opinion. Your doctor can get you on some very good meds. If he/she doesn’t, then I’d find myself another doctor.
I am clean sucked in!!!