Early HIV Symptoms in Men

Early symptoms in men

When someone has tested positive for HIV, it means he has acquired the human immunodeficiency virus. This particular virus is the cause of AIDS, otherwise known as the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, which damages an individual's immune system, making it more difficult to combat illnesses and diseases. Males may display symptoms at the very onset of the condition.

Fever

One of the most common early HIV symptoms, be it in a man or a woman, will involve some level of fever. This particular symptom usually manifests soon after infection, anywhere from two to four weeks, and dissipates just like any other cold or flu. Fevers are generally mild in nature, running somewhere around 100 to 101 degrees F.

Headache

Often, a man with HIV will find that the fever will be accompanied by periodic episodes of mild to moderate headaches. These headaches will be just like any other headache you may have already encountered in your life and will respond to ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin.

Swollen Glands

Another fairly common symptom of HIV in men is some amount of swelling or inflammation in one or more of the lymph glands in the body. He may notice a gland in the neck, armpit or groin has become slightly swollen, raised and firm. Most of the time, this swelling or inflammation will not bring any sort of pain or discomfort to the gland, even when touched, and is often mistaken for another illness.

Fatigue

Many men recently infected with HIV notice a change in their level of energy or stamina, becoming unexplainably fatigued or tired more than normal. Physical exercise may impact them differently. They may feel a little more tired from a day at work.

Rash

Sometimes, an early symptom of HIV will come in the form of a simple rash that appears as patches of skin that are slightly discolored from other areas. The rash may appear raised, and it will usually fade away within a week to a month after it first developed.

References

• Mayo Clinic: Early HIV Symptoms: What Are They?

Resources

• Mayo Clinic: Additional Information on HIV/AIDS
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: HIV/AIDS