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What is HIV?

Treating HIV

Living with HIV

Other health problems

For caregivers

For ASOs

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Signs and symptoms of HIV

A sign of a health problem is something that a doctor can see or feel by checking your body or can find out through a test. For example, a sore in your mouth is a sign. With a symptom, you have to tell your doctor about it. Having a lot of headaches is a symptom.


Listed below are signs and symptoms of HIV infection and other diseases. You may have 1 or more of these signs and symptoms. That does not mean you have HIV. You may have no signs or symptoms. But that doesn't mean you do not have HIV. Many people with HIV have no signs or symptoms of infection for years. That is why it is so important to get tested.


Here are some signs of HIV infection:

  • Swollen glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
  • White spots or unusual marks in the mouth or throat, or on the tongue
  • Red, brown, pink, or purple blotches on or under the skin. Blotches can also be inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
  • Fever that will not go away
  • Pneumonia—a disease that causes the lungs to fill with fluid

Here are some symptoms of HIV:

  • Losing a lot of weight without trying
  • Dry cough
  • Sweating a lot during the night
  • Feeling very weak or tired for no reason
  • Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
  • Memory loss
  • Depression

When in doubt, check it out.
If you have not been tested for HIV, do it today.

Next >> Testing for HIV

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