A human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, infection critically weakens the human immune system, which ultimately culminates in acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Because of the compromised immune system, infected individuals are susceptible to secondary infections. The virus is transmitted through any activity that involves direct contact of body fluids such as blood, mucous, semen and vaginal secretions. Transmission methods include sex, blood transfusion, pregnancy and repeated use of needles. According to the World Health Organization, or WHO, total deaths due to AIDS are about 2 million worldwide, and an estimated 33.4 million people are living with HIV.
Flu
Due to compromised immune system, the body becomes susceptible to common infections. One such highly contagious viral infection is influenza, or flu. Usually the flu is a seasonal disease, but in case of HIV individuals, the symptoms can be seen in any season. However, flu being such a common disease, one seldom thinks of it as a symptom of HIV infection. According to the WHO, while recovery from the flu takes place in couple of weeks in a healthy individual, HIV positive people take longer, and further complications may manifest themselves into pneumonia. In an HIV positive person, flu effects can vary from mild to fatal depending on the physiological state, age and other associated factors of the infected.
Swollen Lymph Glands
Another sign of HIV infection is swollen lymph glands or nodes. Lymph nodes are spread throughout the body, particularly armpits, groin, sides of the neck, under the chin and behind the ears. Part of the immune system, these glands trap foreign particles, including germs, to prevent infection. However, other causes such as tuberculosis, plague, anthrax and certain microbial infections for swelling of lymph nodes are particularly uncommon in a healthy person. The swelling may be an indication of HIV infection. If this symptom appears after a recent incidence of unprotected sex, blood transfusion, tattoo, piercing or use of needles and syringes, the swollen lymph glands should be a reason to consult a health care professional.
Fatigue
Presence of HIV in blood is known to affect the red blood cell count, leading to an anemia-like condition. This is accompanied by loss of appetite due to the viral infection and several other physiological factors resulting in fatigue. Although it may be an indication of another health aliment, HIV infection may lead to loss of appetite and may hamper normal physiological functions.
Skin Conditions
According to University of California, San Francisco, HIV-infected individuals commonly have cutaneous abnormalities. Such individuals most commonly are carriers of bacterial infections. Staphylococcus infection results in skin conditions including bullous impetigo, ecthyma, folliculitis, abscesses, cellulitis and pyomyositis. Patients with symptomatic HIV disease are known to have severe seborrheic dermatitis. This dermatitis usually affects the scalp and the face, a typical characteristic of HIV positive individuals. Pruritic papules are common in HIV infection, although the causes are varied. All of these symptoms should be investigated with proper tests for HIV infection.
