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Warning-sign checks

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Emergency symptoms such as severe breathing difficulty, seizures, confusion, or sudden neurologic changes require immediate care.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up usually includes viral-load testing, CD4 monitoring when needed, review of medications and side effects, and screening for other health concerns.

    Routine appointments are a good time to discuss missed doses, side effects, emotional health, sexual health, pregnancy plans, smoking, alcohol or drug use, and practical barriers to care.

    These conversations should be supportive rather than judgmental.

    Contact the HIV care team between routine visits for new symptoms, repeated vomiting, difficulty taking medicines, troublesome side effects, or missed treatment lasting more than a brief period.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss

The article also says

HIV and AIDS require ongoing care even when a person feels well.

An undetectable viral load is a sign that treatment is working.

It does not mean HIV has been eliminated.

Continuing treatment is necessary to maintain viral suppression and the prevention benefit described by U=U.

People who have been diagnosed with AIDS may regain strong immune function with treatment.

Regular care remains important because the history of severe immune suppression can affect future monitoring and preventive care.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.