How can I know if I have AIDS?

Jan 25, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Feng

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, methods to determine whether one has AIDS include observing personal symptoms, using HIV test strips, undergoing HIV antibody testing, performing HIV antigen testing, and conducting HIV nucleic acid testing. If necessary, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly. Pay attention to whether you experience symptoms associated with AIDS, such as fever, sore throat, and night sweats.

Generally, methods to determine whether one has AIDS include observing personal symptoms, using HIV test strips, undergoing HIV antibody testing, performing HIV antigen testing, and conducting HIV nucleic acid testing. If necessary, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Observing personal symptoms

Pay attention to whether you experience symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS, such as fever, sore throat, night sweats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, joint pain, or swollen lymph nodes. However, these symptoms alone cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis; prompt medical evaluation at a hospital is advised.

2. Using HIV test strips

Purchase HIV test strips from reputable sources and follow the instructions carefully to perform the test. Read the result according to the specified time frame. If the test result is positive, seek medical attention immediately for further confirmation.

3. Undergoing HIV antibody testing

Visit a hospital or disease control center to undergo HIV antibody testing, which involves collecting a blood sample for analysis. If HIV is present in the body, it will stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies. Detecting these antibodies can determine whether an HIV infection exists.

4. Performing HIV antigen testing

This test detects the HIV p24 antigen in the blood to determine infection. During the early stage of HIV infection when the virus replicates extensively, the p24 antigen appears in the bloodstream.

5. Conducting HIV nucleic acid testing

This test directly detects HIV in the blood and can identify the presence of the virus at a very early stage of infection. It is helpful for early diagnosis, identifying acute-phase infections, and monitoring the effectiveness of antiviral treatments.

In daily life, it is important to understand the transmission routes and preventive measures for HIV/AIDS, and to avoid unprotected sexual contact with individuals infected with HIV.

View All

How to tell if you have hyperthyroidism

To determine whether hyperthyroidism is present, symptoms such as persistent fever and unexplained rapid weight loss may serve as initial indicators. A definitive diagnosis requires medical evaluations including blood tests and imaging studies. A body temperature exceeding 37.3°C for more than three consecutive days, accompanied by chills, headache, or joint pain, may be related to infection, inflammation, or other diseases, and further examinations are needed to identify the underlying cause.