According to CDC (2012), the symptoms of HIV vary, depending on the
individual and what stage of the disease which are the early stage, the
clinical latency stage, or AIDS (the late stage of HIV infection). Below are
the symptoms that some individuals may experience in these three stages.
individual and what stage of the disease which are the early stage, the
clinical latency stage, or AIDS (the late stage of HIV infection). Below are
the symptoms that some individuals may experience in these three stages.
Early stage of HIV
Some
people may experience a flu-like illness within 2-4 weeks after HIV
infection. But some people may not feel sick during this stage. Flu-like
symptoms can include:
people may experience a flu-like illness within 2-4 weeks after HIV
infection. But some people may not feel sick during this stage. Flu-like
symptoms can include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Rash
- Night sweats
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Mouth ulcers
These
symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. During this time,
HIV infection may not show up on an HIV test, but people who have it are highly
infectious and can spread the infection to others. However, experiencing any of
these symptoms does not necessarily mean that the individual have HIV because each
of these symptoms can be caused by other illnesses. And some people who
have HIV do not show any symptoms at all for 10 years or more.
symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. During this time,
HIV infection may not show up on an HIV test, but people who have it are highly
infectious and can spread the infection to others. However, experiencing any of
these symptoms does not necessarily mean that the individual have HIV because each
of these symptoms can be caused by other illnesses. And some people who
have HIV do not show any symptoms at all for 10 years or more.
Clinical latency stage
After
the early stage of HIV infection, the disease moves into a stage called the
clinical latency stage (also called “chronic HIV infection”). During this
stage, HIV is still active but reproduces at very low levels. People with
chronic HIV infection may not have any HIV-related symptoms, or only mild ones.
For people who are not taking medicine to treat HIV (called antiretroviral
therapy or ART), this period can last a decade or longer, but some may progress
through this phase faster. People who are taking medicine to treat HIV the
right way, every day may be in this stage for several decades because treatment
helps keep the virus in check.
the early stage of HIV infection, the disease moves into a stage called the
clinical latency stage (also called “chronic HIV infection”). During this
stage, HIV is still active but reproduces at very low levels. People with
chronic HIV infection may not have any HIV-related symptoms, or only mild ones.
For people who are not taking medicine to treat HIV (called antiretroviral
therapy or ART), this period can last a decade or longer, but some may progress
through this phase faster. People who are taking medicine to treat HIV the
right way, every day may be in this stage for several decades because treatment
helps keep the virus in check.
Progression to AIDS
In
people who have HIV and are not taking treatment, eventually the virus will
weaken your body’s immune system and you will progress to AIDS (acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome), the late stage of HIV infection. Symptoms
can include:
people who have HIV and are not taking treatment, eventually the virus will
weaken your body’s immune system and you will progress to AIDS (acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome), the late stage of HIV infection. Symptoms
can include:
- Rapid weight loss
- Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
- Extreme and unexplained tiredness
- Prolonged swelling of the lymph glands in the
armpits, groin, or neck - Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
- Sores of the mouth, anus, or genitals
- Pneumonia
- Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or
under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids - Memory loss, depression, and other neurologic
disorders.
Each
of these symptoms can also be related to other illnesses. So the only way to
know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. Many of the severe symptoms and
illnesses of HIV disease come from the opportunistic infections that occur
because your body’s immune system has been damaged.
of these symptoms can also be related to other illnesses. So the only way to
know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. Many of the severe symptoms and
illnesses of HIV disease come from the opportunistic infections that occur
because your body’s immune system has been damaged.
Reference
Centre for Diseases
Prevention and Control (CDC) (2012). Opportunistic
infections and Kaposi’s sarcoma among Haitians in the United States. MMWR
Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ,31 (26), 353–354.
Prevention and Control (CDC) (2012). Opportunistic
infections and Kaposi’s sarcoma among Haitians in the United States. MMWR
Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ,31 (26), 353–354.
