Signs of HIV infection

The signs of HIV infection vary from person to person. The main problem is that there are no precise or specific HIV symptoms linked only to HIV infection. The most precise method to detect or diagnose HIV infection is testing for HIV antibodies by using Western Blot or ELIZA and that is the only way that you can be sure whether you are clean or infected. The western blot or ELIZA HIV test gives a positive result only when the person’s immune system produces antibodies to combat the HIV virus.

Some of the early symptoms of HIV are rapid weight loss, fatigue, pneumonia, night sweating, dry coughs, swollen lymph glands or sometimes even depression or unexplained memory loss. After the transmission of the virus, most infected patients develop an unexplained fever within 2-4 weeks. After that patients may be completely free of infection or symptoms for about 8 or 9 years. But even through this period, the virus continues to replicate to kill off the normal immune system of the patient. Common symptoms include-

•     Heaving dry coughs for no reason.
•     Rapid weight loss and unexplained night sweats with constant infections and fevers
•     Unexplained tiredness
•     Unexplained tiredness with whitish patches on the skin and tongue
•     Neurological disorders
•     Skin defects with red, white and yellow patches on the skin

In the last period of the HIV infections a large range of symptoms come up which are difficult to diagnose and recognize. One persistent symptom is enlarged lymph nodes for more than three months and frequent opportunistic infections.

Diabetes Symptoms and Types of Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease caused due to defective production, no production or resistance to insulin in the body that results in little absorption of sugar/glucose into the body. Insulin is the hormone responsible for the control of fat, amino acid and glucose metabolism. It is produced by the pancreas.

The three major types of diabetes are

• Type 1 Diabetes
• Type 2 Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus
• Gestational Diabetes.

In type 1 Diabetes (also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and juvenile-onset diabetes) the cells producing insulin in the pancreas in our bodies are destroyed due to various factors and thus body stops making insulin on its own (partially or completely). This type of diabetes is easy to diagnose as its symptoms are significant.

It is usually diagnosed in the kids from age groups of 5 to 12 as well as teenagers. Type 1 diabetes is generally detected in children and young adults with sudden weight loss in addition to symptoms of type II diabetes.Type I diabetes patients are prone to heart diseases, nerve damage, kidney damage, blindness and several other complications.

In type 2 diabetes the cells in the pancreas produce insulin but the cells in the body become resistant to it, thereby causing high sugar level in blood and thus the complication of diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus can be caused due to several factors including obesity, age, hereditary issues, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, stress and lack of exercise. Smoking also is considered as a factor which may go on to cause diabetes in later stages of life of a person. So it’s a good idea to start avoiding foodstuffs with high levels of saturated fat and getting your weight under control, exercising regularly and making a serious attempt to quit smoking.


In case of Gestational diabetes insulin is produced in the pancreas but the hormones produced by the body during pregnancy make the body of the pregnant women resistant to the insulin thereby causing diabetes. Symptoms of this type of diabetes are similar to type2 diabetes symptoms but they often get mis-judged as pregnency symptoms.

No Matter which type of diabetes you are suffering from, its always important to get your blood sugar checked regularly, maintain a healthy lifestyle and take medications on time.

Low Vitamin D and Diabetes

It has recently been discovered that children with lower Vitamin D levels may actually be at a higher risk of coming down with Type 2 Diabetes. Another way to know the early signs that your child may have Type 2 Diabetes is if they have a higher insulin resistance. If you notice either one of these things in your child, it’s a good idea to watch out for diabetes. Simply taking your child to the doctor and getting them checked out is a great place to start. You are probably also going to want to watch closely and keep track of how often they exercise and exactly what they are eating and how much they are eating during any single sitting.

While this was something that was first tested on children, similar results are showing up with adults as well. As technology gets better and science discovers new things; we may just be able to see diabetes signs earlier and not have to live the lives people do now. No more pricking your fingers, no more watching your diet as intensively.

Currently, there are studies being done to see if Vitamin D supplements can help lower the risk of Type 2 Diabetes; in the same ways that Vitamin D does. This study could be the beginning of many changes to keep diabetes under control and a much brighter future for many of us.