Resistance Symptoms (For those Diagnosed with HIV/AIDS)

Resistance occurs when the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) virus in your loved one's body no longer responds to his or her medications. If the medicine levels in his or her blood are low, HIV can reproduce quickly and may make copies of itself that contain mistakes called mutations.

These mutated copies of HIV may no longer respond to your loved one's medications. This means they have developed “resistance.” When resistance occurs, the amount of virus in your blood will increase even if you continue to take your meds – this is called “virologic failure.” This is why it is important for you or your loved one to work with your healthcare professionals, take medications as directed, and follow the healthcare professional's treatment plan. If resistance symptoms occur, contact your loved one's healthcare professional to discuss treatment options. Please see the Treatment section as well, for more information.

Symptoms of HIV/AIDS

According to the Centers for Disease Control, a government organization, the only way to know if you or a loved one is infected is to be tested for HIV infection. "You cannot rely on symptoms to know whether or not you are infected. Many people who are infected with HIV do not have any symptoms at all for 10 years or more.

The following may be warning signs of advanced HIV infection:

• Rapid weight loss
• Dry cough
• Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
• Profound and unexplained fatigue
• Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
• Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
• White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
• Pneumonia
• Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
• Memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders

However, no one should assume they are infected (or their loved one is infected) if they have any of these symptoms. Each of these symptoms can be related to other illnesses.

Again, the only way to determine whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV infection. For information on where to find an HIV testing site, visit the National HIV Testing Resources Web site at http://www.hivtest.org or call CDC-INFO 24 Hours/Day at1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636), 1-888-232-6348 (TTY), in English, en Español."

This information is intended only as an educational aid and is not intended as medical advice. This information is not intended to discuss information related to your HIV treatment options. As always, talk to your healthcare professionals if you have any questions related to treatment or health status.

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