QUESTION
What are some early symptoms of HIV?

ANSWER
Most of early HIV is without symptoms, but some people can get a flu-like illness with fever, fatigue, sore throat, rash, swollen glands and general weakness. Some say it's like the worst flu of their life. But many people have no symptoms, so if someone has been exposed, the most important thing is to get tested.

If the exposure to HIV has been recent, there are programs that provide medicine within 72 hours that can prevent HIV infection. These programs are called PEP programs. The local one in San Francisco is at (415) 487-5538.

To your health,
Dr. K