HIV Symptoms in Men

Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on July 21, 2024
Written by Stephanie Watson, Sharon Liao
5 min read

Most of the time, HIV symptoms are the same for both sexes. But there are a few symptoms that may be unique to men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB).

You may not have any early signs of HIV. But if you do get symptoms right away (called acute HIV infection), they probably won’t be gender-specific.  

Early HIV symptoms typically include flu-like symptoms that last for a few days to several weeks, such as:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Rash
  • Night sweats
  • Muscle aches
  • Sore throat
  • Tiredness
  • Diarrhea
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Mouth sores 

Tell your doctor if you think you’ve been exposed to HIV and you get the above symptoms, even if you start to feel better. You should be tested for HIV. That’s the only surefire way to know if you have it.

These male-specific HIV symptoms can also be signs of other conditions. So if you have any of the following, make sure to speak with your doctor:

Low sex drive. This can be a sign of hypogonadism, which means your testicles don’t make enough of the sex hormone testosterone. This condition is tied to HIV, especially among older people with HIV who have advanced disease.

Hypogonadism (or low testosterone) can also cause:

Sores on your penis. A common sign of HIV is painful open sores (called ulcers) on your mouth or esophagus. They can also appear on your anus or penis. These sores often heal but keep coming back. 

Tell your doctor if you have any ongoing sores on or around your penis. Long-lasting or recurrent genital sores can be one of the first signs of HIV.  

Pain or burning while peeing. In most cases, this is a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection like gonorrhea or chlamydia. It may also be a sign of a urinary tract infection or other health problem associated with a weakened immune system.   

Can HIV cause prostatitis?

Sometimes, pain when you pee can signal swelling of the prostate, a small gland beneath the bladder. This condition is called prostatitis. It’s sometimes caused by a bacterial infection.

Your odds of getting prostatitis and the infections that cause it are higher if you have HIV. 

Besides pain or burning when you pee, other symptoms of prostatitis include:

  • Pain during ejaculation
  • Peeing more often than usual
  • Cloudy or bloody pee
  • Pain in your bladder, testicles, penis, or the area between the scrotum and rectum
  • Lower back, belly, or groin pain

After HIV overpowers your immune system, it spreads at a slower rate. This stage is called chronic or clinical latency. In many cases, you won’t have any noticeable symptoms.

Without treatment, this stage can last 10 to 15 years. With treatment, you may stay in this stage for decades and live a long and healthy life. 

If HIV goes untreated and continues to damage your immune system, you may have mild or long-lasting symptoms such as:

  • Fever
  • Tiredness
  • Shingles
  • Pneumonia
  • Weight loss 
  • Yeast infection in your mouth (called thrush)
  • Recurrent infections

AIDS is the last stage of HIV. This is when the virus has seriously damaged your immune system. Your body can’t fight off many infections, which can lead to symptoms.

Signs of AIDS include:

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Severe or fast weight loss
  • Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
  • Pneumonia
  • Sores in your mouth, anus, or genitals
  • Depression
  • Swollen lymph nodes around your armpits, groin, or neck that don’t go away
  • Fever or severe night sweats that keep coming back
  • Memory loss
  • Red, brown, pink, or purple blotches on or under the skin

HIV/AIDS can also raise your chances of getting certain cancers, including testicular cancer. 

Can you prevent HIV from turning into AIDS?

AIDS can be prevented by starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as possible after you’re diagnosed with HIV. But it’s important to take ART even if you’ve already developed AIDS. 

Your doctor will prescribe ART to keep your immune system as healthy as possible. You may also need medicine for any infections or other health problems caused by your weakened immune system.

HIV can cause similar symptoms in people of all genders. But if you’re a man or assigned male at birth, signs of HIV may include low sex drive, sores on your penis, or other health problems that may cause pain or discomfort when you pee or ejaculate. 

There’s no cure for HIV, but it’s treatable. With early and effective treatment, you can expect to live as long as someone without HIV. 

Talk to your doctor about starting ART if you haven’t already, even if you’ve already developed AIDS. They’ll help you come up with an HIV treatment plan to support your immune system and help you stay as healthy as possible.

How long does it take for HIV to show up in males?

You may get flu-like symptoms 2-4 weeks after you’re exposed to the virus. Most self-tests that check for HIV can detect the virus within 23-90 days. HIV may show up sooner on other tests, such as a nucleic acid test (NAT).  

How do you know if a guy has HIV?

The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. But some signs of HIV in males include low sex drive, pain when you pee, or sores on your penis. 

Does HIV cause discharge in males?

HIV doesn’t cause discharge from your penis. But you’re more likely to get other infections if you have a weakened immune system due the virus. This commonly includes sexually transmitted infections that cause discharge such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.