Question

I am worried about starting HIV treatment

1 December 2010. Related: All topics, HIV testing, HIV transmission, Starting treatment.

Question:

Hi there

I am a bit worried. I have been suffering from diarrhoea, mouth ulcers and night sweats for about 2 weeks now. This was following unprotected sex about 3 weeks previously. I went to the sexual health clinic and have had an HIV test. The nurse at the clinic says she thinks I am going through seroconversion. She said that if the result is negative, I still have to go back at 3 months.

I can’t believe this is all happening so quickly. I am also worried that, if I do turn out to be HIV positive, that I will have to go onto medication right away because of the seroconversion symptoms. My understanding is that the seroconversion symptoms die down after a while once your body has contained the HIV and that the symptoms are not necessarily indicative of having to start treatment.

Can you tell me a bit more about it?

Help!

Thanks

Answer

Answer: Winnie Sseruma

Thank you for your question.

I am sorry to hear you are going through such a distressing time. Seroconversion symptoms are not a sign of starting treatment. If the test results are negative, then you won’t need to think about HIV treatment. But if your test results are positive and you do need to start treatment, you should still be able to live a productive and full live. Many people living with HIV around the world are already doing that.

What is important at this time, is to find out what the test results say and then decide what to do. One day at a time.

Good luck.