It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Viral Gastroenteritis, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was HIV.
HIV is an infection caused by the human immuno deficiency virus. It is mainly transmitted by unprotected anal or vaginal sex, through the use of needles for intravenous drug use as well as from mother to child. Although the virus has no cure, treatment is aimed in keeping the virus at an undetectable state and limiting the replication to make sure the patient doesn’t develop AIDS. HIV is diagnosed by an antibody test that must be done 6-8 weeks after exposure. To be definite, the test needs to be done 3 months after exposure to make sure there is enough time for seroconversion. A PCR test can be done earlier to check for the virus itself instead of the antibodies and it may give an earlier diagnosis.