Typical symptoms in men
The HIV infection has hardly any gender-specific differences. Only the ways and probabilities of transmission can vary between the sexes. For men, the most important protection for themselves and others is the condom.
This means that there is less skin contact with a potentially infectious mucous membrane. Overall, the risk of infection is lower for men during heterosexual intercourse. The course and symptoms of an acute and chronic HIV disease do not differ from those of a woman.
In the acute phase, swollen lymph nodes can appear in the groin area. On the genitals themselves, sore spots may occasionally appear. The first symptoms in the first weeks are therefore of a general and systemic nature and usually consist of Fever, feeling ill, diarrhea and weight loss (HIV is also called “slimming-disease” because of the diarrhea) and generalized lymph node swelling.
Only months to years later the opportunistic diseases appear, which are caused by the damage of the immune system by the virus. These then define in their entirety the stage AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV infection can also cause genital warts on the male genitalia.
In the chronic course of the disease, the development of various malignant tumor diseases is favored by immune suppression. While some gender-specific cancers can develop in women, anal, testicular and penis carcinomas can develop with low probability in men. However, other viral infections and smoking play an equally important role in the development of these carcinomas. Fertility is generally not restricted by HIV infection. It is even possible to conceive by “washing” the sperm in the laboratory.
Typical symptoms in women
While HIV infection is similar for both sexes, additional factors such as female diseases, desire for children, birth risks and social impairment due to HIV must be considered for women. In addition, there are some gender-specific diseases that occur more frequently in HIV-infected women than in healthy persons and can severely restrict the lives of those affected. These include inflammation and infection of the vagina, uterus and ovaries, as well as sexually transmitted diseases caused by chlamydia and trichomonads.
Vaginal herpes occurs up to 20 times more frequently in HIV-infected persons than in healthy persons. Tumor diseases are another important field for HIV.Regular screening is essential for HIV-infected women because the cells of the cervix change significantly more frequently and can thus trigger cervical cancer. However, the better the condition of the immune system, the longer it takes for the virus to reduce the T-cell count.
In the final stage of HIV disease, however, women can develop cervical cancer (cervical cancer) caused by HPV (human papilloma virus). However, this requires a previous infection with HPV, which then leads to the transformation of the squamous epithelial cells of the cervix due to the immunodeficiency. This is the first disease caused by AIDS in many women. Furthermore, in women who wish to have children, pregnancy is much more risky: Infections of the child in the womb occur more frequently, the risk of premature birth is increased and transmission of HIV to the child is possible, especially if no precautionary measures are taken.
