&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;293&quot; data-end=&quot;351&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Understanding the Different Stages of HIV Infection&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;h3 data-start=&quot;352&quot; data-end=&quot;409&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your Guide to Staying Informed, Empowered &amp;amp; Healthy&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;411&quot; data-end=&quot;586&quot;&gt;Let&amp;rsquo;s talk about something super important &amp;mdash; &lt;strong data-start=&quot;456&quot; data-end=&quot;463&quot;&gt;HIV&lt;/strong&gt;. You&amp;rsquo;ve heard the acronym, you&amp;rsquo;ve seen the headlines, but how much do you &lt;em data-start=&quot;538&quot; data-end=&quot;546&quot;&gt;really&lt;/em&gt; know about the stages of HIV infection?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;588&quot; data-end=&quot;864&quot;&gt;Whether you&#39;re curious, concerned, or just love being well-informed, this guide will walk you through the journey of HIV from the moment of exposure to advanced infection &amp;mdash; and show you how early detection, regular testing, and proper treatment can make all the difference.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;588&quot; data-end=&quot;864&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;871&quot; data-end=&quot;940&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;First Things First: What&amp;rsquo;s the Difference Between HIV and AIDS?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;942&quot; data-end=&quot;962&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.hk/hiv-vs-aids-difference-prevention-treatment&quot;&gt;Let&amp;rsquo;s clear this up&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;966&quot; data-end=&quot;1051&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;966&quot; data-end=&quot;1004&quot;&gt;HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)&lt;/strong&gt; is the virus that attacks the immune system.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1054&quot; data-end=&quot;1244&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1054&quot; data-end=&quot;1099&quot;&gt;AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)&lt;/strong&gt; is the final stage of HIV infection &amp;mdash; a collection of symptoms and illnesses that occur when HIV has significantly weakened the immune system.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1246&quot; data-end=&quot;1430&quot;&gt;You can live with HIV for many years without developing AIDS, especially with proper treatment. Think of HIV as the culprit and AIDS as the consequence &lt;em data-start=&quot;1398&quot; data-end=&quot;1404&quot;&gt;only&lt;/em&gt; if HIV is left untreated.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1246&quot; data-end=&quot;1430&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1437&quot; data-end=&quot;1497&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;STAGE 1: ACUTE HIV INFECTION &amp;ndash; The Body&#39;s First Battle&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1499&quot; data-end=&quot;1703&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When does it happen?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1499&quot; data-end=&quot;1703&quot;&gt;This stage kicks off &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1547&quot; data-end=&quot;1578&quot;&gt;2 to 4 weeks after exposure&lt;/strong&gt; to the virus. During this period, HIV replicates like crazy and floods your system. Your immune system goes into high alert.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1705&quot; data-end=&quot;1907&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1705&quot; data-end=&quot;1732&quot;&gt;What does it feel like?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1705&quot; data-end=&quot;1907&quot;&gt;Many people experience &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1758&quot; data-end=&quot;1793&quot;&gt;Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS)&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; basically your immune system saying, &amp;ldquo;Something&amp;rsquo;s wrong!&amp;rdquo; The symptoms can feel like a bad flu and may include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1911&quot; data-end=&quot;1922&quot;&gt;Fever&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1925&quot; data-end=&quot;1942&quot;&gt;Night sweats&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1945&quot; data-end=&quot;1961&quot;&gt;Sore throat&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1964&quot; data-end=&quot;1978&quot;&gt;Headaches&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1981&quot; data-end=&quot;2005&quot;&gt;Swollen lymph nodes&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2008&quot; data-end=&quot;2035&quot;&gt;Muscle and joint aches&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2038&quot; data-end=&quot;2102&quot;&gt;HIV-related skin rashes or ulcers (yes, even on the genitals)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2104&quot; data-end=&quot;2183&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2104&quot; data-end=&quot;2123&quot;&gt;Digestive signs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2104&quot; data-end=&quot;2183&quot;&gt;Signs like nausea, diarrhea, and loss of appetite may also occur. But here&amp;rsquo;s the twist: &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2207&quot; data-end=&quot;2254&quot;&gt;some people don&amp;rsquo;t show any symptoms at all.&lt;/strong&gt; That&amp;rsquo;s why it&amp;rsquo;s known as a &amp;ldquo;silent infection&amp;rdquo; early on.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2315&quot; data-end=&quot;2499&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2315&quot; data-end=&quot;2337&quot;&gt;Transmission Risk:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2315&quot; data-end=&quot;2499&quot;&gt;This is the stage when people are &lt;em data-start=&quot;2374&quot; data-end=&quot;2380&quot;&gt;most&lt;/em&gt; infectious. That means even if you feel fine, you can still pass it on. The only way to know for sure? &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2484&quot; data-end=&quot;2499&quot;&gt;Get tested.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2501&quot; data-end=&quot;2545&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bonus Fact: STDs &amp;amp; HIV Love Company&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2546&quot; data-end=&quot;2723&quot;&gt;Getting an &lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.sg/hiv-testing&quot;&gt;HIV test&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;? It&amp;rsquo;s a great idea to screen for &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2599&quot; data-end=&quot;2617&quot;&gt;other &lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.hk/std-testing&quot;&gt;STDs&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt; too&lt;/strong&gt;. &lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.hk/gonorrhoea-hong-kong&quot;&gt;Gonorrhea&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;, &lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.hk/chlamydia-in-hong-kong-testing-symptoms-treatment&quot;&gt;chlamydia&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;, and &lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.hk/syphilis-hong-kong&quot;&gt;syphilis&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt; can show similar symptoms or increase the risk of HIV transmission.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2546&quot; data-end=&quot;2723&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2730&quot; data-end=&quot;2784&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;STAGE 2: CHRONIC HIV INFECTION &amp;ndash; The Quiet Phase&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2786&quot; data-end=&quot;2853&quot;&gt;Also called the &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2802&quot; data-end=&quot;2828&quot;&gt;Clinical Latency Stage&lt;/strong&gt; or &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2832&quot; data-end=&quot;2852&quot;&gt;Asymptomatic HIV&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2855&quot; data-end=&quot;3059&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2855&quot; data-end=&quot;2883&quot;&gt;What&amp;rsquo;s happening inside?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2855&quot; data-end=&quot;3059&quot;&gt;The virus slows down but keeps working behind the scenes, gradually weakening your immune system by reducing your &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3000&quot; data-end=&quot;3018&quot;&gt;CD4 cell count&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; these are your body&amp;rsquo;s immune warriors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3061&quot; data-end=&quot;3198&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3061&quot; data-end=&quot;3081&quot;&gt;How do you feel?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3061&quot; data-end=&quot;3198&quot;&gt;Honestly, you might feel totally normal for years. But HIV is still in your system, and it&amp;rsquo;s still doing damage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3200&quot; data-end=&quot;3352&quot;&gt;With no treatment, this stage lasts around 8&amp;ndash;10 years. But here&amp;rsquo;s the good news &amp;mdash; &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3282&quot; data-end=&quot;3352&quot;&gt;with &lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.hk/hiv-treatment-art-antiretroviral-therapy&quot;&gt;antiretroviral therapy (ART)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;, you can stop HIV in its tracks.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3354&quot; data-end=&quot;3630&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3354&quot; data-end=&quot;3378&quot;&gt;Treatment = Power &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3354&quot; data-end=&quot;3630&quot;&gt;Modern HIV treatment, known as &lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.hk/hiv-treatment-haart&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3412&quot; data-end=&quot;3460&quot;&gt;HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;, can suppress the virus so much that it becomes&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.hk/hiv-clinic-undetectable-untransmittable-hongkong&quot;&gt; undetectable &amp;mdash; and untransmittable (U=U)&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;. That means you stay healthy &lt;em data-start=&quot;3583&quot; data-end=&quot;3588&quot;&gt;and&lt;/em&gt; can&amp;rsquo;t pass HIV to others. Amazing, right?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3354&quot; data-end=&quot;3630&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3637&quot; data-end=&quot;3714&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;STAGE 3: ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS) &amp;ndash; The Critical Stage&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3716&quot; data-end=&quot;3778&quot;&gt;This is what happens when HIV has gone untreated for too long.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3780&quot; data-end=&quot;3947&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3780&quot; data-end=&quot;3805&quot;&gt;What&amp;rsquo;s happening now?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3780&quot; data-end=&quot;3947&quot;&gt;The immune system is severely damaged. &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3847&quot; data-end=&quot;3891&quot;&gt;CD4 cell counts drop below 200 cells/mm&amp;sup3;&lt;/strong&gt;, and the body can no longer fend off common infections.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3949&quot; data-end=&quot;4120&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3949&quot; data-end=&quot;3983&quot;&gt;Opportunistic Infections (OIs)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3949&quot; data-end=&quot;4120&quot;&gt;It starts showing up &amp;mdash; diseases that wouldn&amp;rsquo;t bother someone with a healthy immune system but become life-threatening for someone with AIDS.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h5 data-start=&quot;4122&quot; data-end=&quot;4139&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Examples include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4143&quot; data-end=&quot;4200&quot;&gt;Pneumonia (especially &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4165&quot; data-end=&quot;4172&quot;&gt;PCP&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;ndash; Pneumocystis pneumonia)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4203&quot; data-end=&quot;4247&quot;&gt;Oral and genital thrush (yeast infections)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4250&quot; data-end=&quot;4264&quot;&gt;Tuberculosis&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4267&quot; data-end=&quot;4285&quot;&gt;Brain infections&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4288&quot; data-end=&quot;4329&quot;&gt;Certain cancers like &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4309&quot; data-end=&quot;4329&quot;&gt;Kaposi&amp;rsquo;s sarcoma&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4331&quot; data-end=&quot;4524&quot;&gt;But here&amp;rsquo;s the hopeful part: AIDS is &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4368&quot; data-end=&quot;4383&quot;&gt;preventable&lt;/strong&gt; and &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4388&quot; data-end=&quot;4402&quot;&gt;manageable&lt;/strong&gt;. Many people living with HIV never reach this stage thanks to &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4465&quot; data-end=&quot;4524&quot;&gt;early detection, proper care, and consistent treatment.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4331&quot; data-end=&quot;4524&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4331&quot; data-end=&quot;4524&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; data-start=&quot;4736&quot; data-end=&quot;4786&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Rapid Testing. Real Answers. Total Privacy.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.hk/circumcision-hong-kong&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;https://cms.eu-health.org/Files/Buttons/Booking-an-appointment-at-PULSE-CLINIC.png&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; height=&quot;33&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;h5 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; data-start=&quot;5037&quot; data-end=&quot;5086&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Because your health is worth it &amp;mdash; and so are you.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5037&quot; data-end=&quot;5086&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;4531&quot; data-end=&quot;4574&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Takeaway: Knowledge Is Protection&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4576&quot; data-end=&quot;4734&quot;&gt;HIV doesn&amp;rsquo;t have to be a scary mystery. With today&amp;rsquo;s science, people with HIV live long, healthy, and happy lives. But it all starts with knowing your status.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4788&quot; data-end=&quot;4917&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4788&quot; data-end=&quot;4816&quot;&gt;PULSE Clinic (Hong Kong)&lt;/strong&gt; offers discreet, &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4834&quot; data-end=&quot;4879&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.hk/hiv-testing&quot;&gt;confidential HIV testing&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt; &amp;mdash; 7 days a week.&lt;/strong&gt; No judgment, no stress. Just answers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4919&quot; data-end=&quot;5035&quot;&gt;Come chat with our friendly team&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4919&quot; data-end=&quot;5035&quot;&gt;Get tested for HIV and STDs&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4919&quot; data-end=&quot;5035&quot;&gt;All services are anonymous and secure&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; data-start=&quot;5093&quot; data-end=&quot;5149&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Stay Safe. Stay Smart. Stay Strong.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;h4 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;https://www.pulse-clinic.com.hk/circumcision-hong-kong&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;https://cms.eu-health.org/Files/Buttons/Booking-an-appointment-at-PULSE-CLINIC.png&quot; width=&quot;300&quot; height=&quot;33&quot; /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;h5 style=&quot;text-align: center;&quot; data-start=&quot;5150&quot; data-end=&quot;5208&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;HIV doesn&amp;rsquo;t define you. But &lt;em data-start=&quot;5178&quot; data-end=&quot;5196&quot;&gt;what you do next&lt;/em&gt; just might.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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