Why does hiv infection cause night sweats?

Sweating is one way the body releases heat. Immune activity can affect the body's temperature control, and fever may lead to sweating as temperature changes. In a person with HIV, night sweats can also accompany another infection or another health condition. Night sweats are a common presentation of HIV Infection, but they are not specific to HIV and need context from other symptoms and any exposure history.

Note whether you wake soaked enough to change bedding or clothes, whether you have fever or chills, and how long the pattern has continued. Keep the bedroom comfortably cool and drink enough fluids. Arrange a clinical assessment for recurrent sweats, particularly alongside cough, swollen glands, reduced appetite or weight change. Do not change prescribed treatment on your own.

Contact a clinician promptly for repeated night sweats with fever, cough, persistent diarrhoea, new pain or worsening tiredness. Seek urgent care for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, a severe headache with fever, or severe dehydration.

Ask what causes of night sweats fit your symptoms, whether infection testing is needed, and which warning signs require urgent assessment. If you have HIV, ask whether your current treatment and follow-up results change the evaluation.