The end-stage of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2 million people died from AIDS worldwide in 2008. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) refers to symptoms experienced during HIV end-stage as AIDS defining illnesses. These illnesses are the most severe forms of opportunistic infections experienced by AIDS patients
Respiratory Symptoms
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), AIDS patients can develop pneumocytisis carinii and mycobacterium tuberculosis in the lungs. These two diseases cause severe breathing problems that eventually lead to death.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
According to the CDC, AIDS patients may develop cytomegalovirus colitis, which leads to severe diarrhea. Patients also develop a condition known as wasting syndrome. Wasting syndrome is extreme unintentional weight loss caused by the HIV virus.
Neurological Symptoms
According to NIH, patients with AIDS experience depression, confusion, memory loss, tingling and burning in the feet, known as peripheral neuropathy. Patients may also experience AIDS dementia, cryptococcal meningitis and AIDS encephalopathy.
Dermatological Symptoms
NIH states that herpes simplex virus causes small blisters on the skin and genitals of AIDS patients. Another virus known as herpes zoster virus causes painful shingles on the skin. Patients also develop Kaposi sarcoma, a type of cancer that causes purplish lesions on the surface of the skin. Kaposi sarcoma may also invade internal body organs
Immunological Symptoms
According to the CDC, HIV invades the immune system and affects the organs of the immune system. HIV causes prolonged swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits and groin. HIV also causes persistent fever and night sweats in AIDS patients
Mouth Symptoms
The NIH states that AIDS patients may develop mouth problems such as candididasis of the mouth, candididasis of the esophagus, mouth sores, gingivitis and hairy leukoplekia. All these mouth symptoms are painful and cause AIDS patients to have problems eating, leading to severe weight loss.
