Though symptoms can go undetected for some time,
eventually the disease takes its toll on the body by damaging a person’s immune
system, paving the way for numerous diseases to move in. While many of the
diseases and infections that strike people with HIV are common, others are
unusual and their presence is what often leads to a diagnosis of acquired
immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) — the final
eventually the disease takes its toll on the body by damaging a person’s immune
system, paving the way for numerous diseases to move in. While many of the
diseases and infections that strike people with HIV are common, others are
unusual and their presence is what often leads to a diagnosis of acquired
immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) — the final
Early Symptoms
The earliest symptoms of HIV can resemble the flu
and they generally clear up within a month or two. These symptoms may include
fever, headache, fatigue, and swelling in the lymph nodes, particularly those
in the neck and groin. However, not everyone who acquires HIV will experience
these symptoms. Similarly, for several years, perhaps as long as a decade, a
person with HIV may not have any symptoms at all. During that time, though, the
virus is still multiplying and it’s possible to transmit HIV to someone else.
and they generally clear up within a month or two. These symptoms may include
fever, headache, fatigue, and swelling in the lymph nodes, particularly those
in the neck and groin. However, not everyone who acquires HIV will experience
these symptoms. Similarly, for several years, perhaps as long as a decade, a
person with HIV may not have any symptoms at all. During that time, though, the
virus is still multiplying and it’s possible to transmit HIV to someone else.
HIV progresses differently for each person
affected. The course of the disease is determined by the specific infections or
complications a person with HIV develops. HIV complications can affect
different parts of the body: Some are localized to the mouth, others in the
brain, and others result in total body changes like losing body weight. Skin
conditions are also common.
affected. The course of the disease is determined by the specific infections or
complications a person with HIV develops. HIV complications can affect
different parts of the body: Some are localized to the mouth, others in the
brain, and others result in total body changes like losing body weight. Skin
conditions are also common.
Skin Effects
Several of the main skin conditions that affect
people with HIV are caused by viruses most people already have in their bodies.
However, these viruses typically do not cause disease in people whose immune
systems are healthy. Some of the more common dermatological, or skin, effects
of HIV include:
people with HIV are caused by viruses most people already have in their bodies.
However, these viruses typically do not cause disease in people whose immune
systems are healthy. Some of the more common dermatological, or skin, effects
of HIV include:
- Varicella
zoster virus (VZV) infection. VZV is a herpes virus that
causes both chicken pox (varicella) and shingles (herpes zoster). Most
adults have already been exposed to this virus. HIV-infected individuals
may develop new skin sores from either of these diseases. HIV patients who
didn’t have chicken pox earlier in their life may develop the condition,
which in some cases can affect their organs and become life-threatening.
Shingles can be localized to one area or it can spread over large areas of
the skin. Shingles lesions can become infected and even lead to the
development of encephalitis (brain inflammation) in people with HIV. - Herpes
simplex virus (HSV). HSV was one of the first
diseases identified in people with advanced HIV disease and is now
considered one of the AIDS-defining diseases by the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. HSV causes open sores that may look like a
cluster of blisters. They pop and crust over before healing completely;
this process takes about 7 to 10 days in otherwise healthy individuals,
but in people with advanced HIV disease, the sores may enlarge to 2 to 10
centimeters in diameter, becoming crusted and painful. - Kaposi’s
sarcoma (KS). KS is a cancer caused by a herpes virus
called Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus. Healthy individuals may be infected
with Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus without developing the cancer. However,
as HIV-infected people become sicker, KS may develop. KS tumors grow from
cells that line blood vessels and lymph nodes. The cells form tumors on
the skin that appear as brown, purple, or red splotches, called lesions.
In some cases, the lesions look worse than they are, as they may cause no
other symptoms. Other people with KS may experience painful swelling,
particularly around the eyes, in the legs, or in the groin. Although less
common, KS lesions can also form in organs, like the liver, digestive
system, or the lungs, which could be deadly.
Oral Health Problems
HIV infection can also cause oral health problems
that are rare in uninfected people, including:
that are rare in uninfected people, including:
- Candidiasis.
Candidiasis is a fungal infection that HIV patients often get as their
CD4+ cell count decreases. One of the most common types associated with
HIV, thrush (or pseudomembranous candidiasis), appears as white patches in
the mouth or pharynx. - Periodontal
disease. HIV-positive individuals very often have
periodontal disease caused by bacterial infections even if they do not have
any other symptoms of HIV. At first, the periodontal disease is
characterized by the sudden and rapid loss of soft tissue and jaw bone. As
the disease progresses, the person may also develop gingivitis with ulcers
that leave crater-like crevices after healing. - Herpes
simplex virus. HSV can also cause sores in and around the
mouth. Typically, HSV-1 causes ulcers in the mouth and HSV-2 causes
genital herpes. However, oral infection with HSV-2 and genital infection
with HSV-1 can occur — this infection is usually spread during oral sex.
The symptoms of both types are identical.
Kaposi’s sarcoma and shingles can also cause ulcers
in the mouth. Kaposi’s sarcoma oral lesions are very similar to the skin
lesions. Shingles lesions in the oral tissue may merge into large ulcers
instead of crusting over as they do on the skin. Shingles oral ulcers often get
into the gum tissue, causing tooth pain.
in the mouth. Kaposi’s sarcoma oral lesions are very similar to the skin
lesions. Shingles lesions in the oral tissue may merge into large ulcers
instead of crusting over as they do on the skin. Shingles oral ulcers often get
into the gum tissue, causing tooth pain.
Neurological Effects
Although HIV does not appear to infect nerve cells,
it does somehow affect their ability to function normally. People with HIV can
experience:
it does somehow affect their ability to function normally. People with HIV can
experience:
- AIDS-related
dementia - A
decrease in the ability to think properly and process information - Brain
tumors that either begin in the brain or spread to the brain from
elsewhere in the body - Progressive
multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), which is caused by a virus most
people are already infected with, but does not cause disease in people
with healthy immune systems. Symptoms include difficulty walking and
talking, weakness in the limbs, and seizures.
Other neurological complications such as headaches,
fever, nausea, and dizziness may occur as a result of HIV treatments.
fever, nausea, and dizziness may occur as a result of HIV treatments.
HIV: Weight Effects and Wasting
Syndrome
Syndrome
A big concern for people who have HIV that has
progressed to AIDS is AIDS wasting syndrome, which is defined as any
unintentional weight loss of 10 percent or more of your body weight. HIV
patients may lose muscle as well as fat, and once lost, the weight is difficult
to regain. The person may also have diarrhea and a slight fever. These symptoms
are usually accompanied by a complete loss of appetite. AIDS wasting syndrome
is extremely dangerous for HIV-infected people but it can largely be prevented
by eating a healthy, nutrient-rich diet (including such foods as peanut butter,
eggs, cheeses, and legumes) and regular exercise to maintain muscle mass.
progressed to AIDS is AIDS wasting syndrome, which is defined as any
unintentional weight loss of 10 percent or more of your body weight. HIV
patients may lose muscle as well as fat, and once lost, the weight is difficult
to regain. The person may also have diarrhea and a slight fever. These symptoms
are usually accompanied by a complete loss of appetite. AIDS wasting syndrome
is extremely dangerous for HIV-infected people but it can largely be prevented
by eating a healthy, nutrient-rich diet (including such foods as peanut butter,
eggs, cheeses, and legumes) and regular exercise to maintain muscle mass.
While HIV infection can lead to a variety of very
serious complications, advances in treatments have significantly improved the
outlook for people with HIV infection. In fact, a study found that only about
10 percent of people with HIV die of one of the conditions that defines AIDS.
Since HIV-infected individuals are now living longer, they are more likely to
die from other causes.
serious complications, advances in treatments have significantly improved the
outlook for people with HIV infection. In fact, a study found that only about
10 percent of people with HIV die of one of the conditions that defines AIDS.
Since HIV-infected individuals are now living longer, they are more likely to
die from other causes.
