Possible Exposure to HIV?

Signs of a Recent HIV Infection

These are the common signs of a new HIV infection. Remember, it could be something else. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.

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You could be infected with HIV if you have had an exposure to the virus -- through unprotected sex or by having shared needles with someone who is HIV positive -- and then a few weeks later experienced flu-like symptoms:

• Fever
• Severe Fatigue
• A non-itchy rash
• Swollen glands
• Sore throat
• Night sweats
• Sores in your mouth

These symptoms are called Acute Retroviral Syndrome and last from a few days to a few weeks. You could get sick enough to go to the emergency room or just feel a little unwell. It's important to remember that people experience similar symptoms and it's not related to HIV. Sometimes, the flu is just the flu.

Even if you don't experience symptoms, you could still be infected -- only half of people experience symptoms. If you think you may have been recently infected with HIV and live in the Bay Area, we highly recommend that you speak with the OPTIONS Project at UCSF as soon as you can.