The HIV/AIDS virus can be in the body for some time before the person feels sick or shows symptoms. You cannot tell that someone has HIV by just looking at them. If an HIV positive person does have symptoms these change depending on the stage of infection and can be confused with signs of other diseases. Having an HIV test is the only way to know your HIV status. Knowing it helps you to stay healthy and live longer, plan for your future and protect your children, partner and even health workers from infection.
Attribution: Straight Talk Foundation