Does AIDS cause itching?

Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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People with AIDS experience itching because pruritus is one of the most common symptoms in AIDS patients. It can occur relatively early in the disease. This type of itching occurs without primary skin rashes and is so severe that it is unbearable. In severe cases, there may be a tendency towards suicide. Therefore, in treatment, we use antihistamines with sedative effects. Oral administration is combined with the external application of moisturizing and anti-itch medications. When necessary, ultraviolet light exposure can be used, or it can be combined with other methods.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Watery stools in early stage of AIDS

The appearance of watery stools does not necessarily indicate the early stages of AIDS. It could be viral gastroenteritis or food intolerance. It is not feasible to diagnose AIDS based solely on the symptom of watery stools, as AIDS symptoms are not very typical or specific. To rule out or confirm an AIDS infection, one can undergo HIV antibody or nucleic acid testing. In the early stages of AIDS, HIV nucleic acid testing is often able to detect the infection.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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How long does it take to know if you are infected with AIDS?

After being infected with the HIV virus, 50% to 70% of people will experience symptoms similar to a cold, such as fever, headache, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, occasional nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rashes, all occurring around half a month later. Of course, some people may not exhibit any symptoms at all. If symptoms do appear, they generally disappear within a month. At this time, it is necessary to conduct a screening test between the first and second month. If necessary, another screening test can be performed in the third month to determine whether there is an HIV infection.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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How is AIDS transmitted?

The HIV virus primarily exists in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, ascitic fluid, and bodily fluids of infected persons. There are three main transmission pathways: sexual contact, blood products, and mother-to-child transmission, which include homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual contact; sharing needles for intravenous drug use, invasive medical procedures, tattooing, as well as transmission from an HIV-positive mother through placental delivery and breastfeeding. Normal activities such as handshaking, hugging, polite kissing, sharing meals, and living together do not transmit the HIV virus.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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What tests are needed for AIDS and syphilis?

If a general person wants to test for HIV and syphilis, there is a quick and easy method, which is to do a blood test called the "pre-transfusion four tests." This specifically includes four components: HIV antibodies, syphilis antibodies, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Therefore, by going to the hospital for a blood draw and taking the pre-transfusion four tests, you can early screen for both HIV and syphilis. However, if it is the early stage of infection with these diseases, also known as the window period, it may result in a false negative. You mentioned that you might have HIV or syphilis, but the result could temporarily be negative. Therefore, to be certain, it is recommended to retest after 3-6 months.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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What are the symptoms of AIDS?

During different stages of HIV infection, there are some varying clinical symptoms. The latency period of HIV, also known as the asymptomatic period, generally has no obvious symptoms, though some individuals may only show enlargement of lymph nodes. During the acute infection stage of HIV, symptoms such as generalized lymph node enlargement, fever, rash, and cough are common. In the late stages of HIV, due to severe deficiencies in immune function, there is a high susceptibility to a variety of opportunistic infections, which can lead to unexplained spontaneous fever, diarrhea, cough, and other symptoms that must be addressed according to the specific circumstances.