Wouldn’t I know if I had HIV?

I’m Dr. Flash and I’m here to answer your questions about HIV.

When you first get infected, some people have no symptoms, some people have symptoms that kind of feel like a cold.

Many people, even without getting treatment, they actually feel better. They’re not getting better, they just feel better.

And so over time their immune system can be getting weaker and weaker and weaker, and they don’t feel a thing until it’s really late in the course of disease.

And so, no, you won’t have a magical light bulb that goes off that says, “Oh, I’m infected.”

There’s no sign that goes across your forehead that says, “Oh, now I have it. I have HIV.”

If you wanna know your status, get tested.

This video is a joint production of KFF’s GREATER THAN HIV and CDC’s LET’S STOP HIV TOGETHER. This information is shared for educational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The views expressed are those of the featured medical professional and reflect information available to that professional at the time of filming.

Always consult a healthcare provider for any personal health decisions. The marks “CDC” and “Let’s Stop HIV Together” are owned by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services and are used with permission. Use of these logos is not an endorsement by HHS or CDC of any particular product, service, or enterprise.