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Can I Get Checked for Kaposi?s Sarcoma Before I Have Symptoms?

Man shaking hands with male physician in an exam room

If you have HIV, get regular checkups by a doctor who knows how to diagnose Kaposi?s sarcoma (KS) and other AIDS-related problems. Tell your doctor if you have KS symptoms and get treatment as soon as possible.

There is no test to tell whether you have KS before lesions grow. Sometimes KS lesions are the first sign of AIDS. If you have HIV, it is important for you to get regular checkups and follow a treatment plan.

If you have AIDS, pay attention to any skin changes on these parts of your body:

  • Face

  • Trunk

  • Legs

  • Around your anus

  • Inside your mouth, ears, or nose

See your doctor to talk about any lesions you notice. Not all lesions are KS, but early detection gives better treatment results.

KS usually develops when AIDS is more advanced, when CD4 counts go down. CD4 positive cells are white blood cells that AIDS damages the most. These cells are important in fighting infections. The CD4 count drops as the HIV progresses, leaving you vulnerable to other infections.

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