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Warning-sign checks

Asymptomatic HIV infection: 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
    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

    Prompt assistance can often prevent an interruption in treatment.

    People who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should discuss this promptly with an HIV specialist and pregnancy care clinician.

    Effective treatment greatly reduces the chance of passing HIV to a baby, but care must be coordinated.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
    • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Regular follow-up is needed even when there are no symptoms.

    Early visits usually focus on whether treatment is working, whether doses are being missed, and whether side effects or interactions are present.

    Routine care may also include kidney and liver tests, cholesterol and glucose checks, vaccination review, cancer screening, and screening for tuberculosis, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections.

    The timing depends on medical history, medicines, test results, age, and pregnancy status.

    Contact the care team between routine visits if medicine is running out, doses are difficult to take, side effects are interfering with daily life, or new symptoms develop.

The article also says

Viral load testing shows how well ART is controlling HIV.

It is usually checked after treatment begins or changes and then periodically after suppression is stable.

CD4 testing is used to monitor immune function, especially early in care or when the count is low.

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