A chronic, life-threatening condition known as AIDS develops due to the human immunodefiency virus, or HIV. HIV is a virus which damages the immune system, inhibiting the body from fighting off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease. AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is the name given to the later stages of an HIV infection.
HIV Development
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases states HIV attaches to CD4 positive lymphocytes, also known as white blood cells, which are crucial to maintaining immune system function. HIV then enters into the white blood cells and inserts its own genetic material and makes copies of itself. New copies of the virus then break out of the white blood cells and enter into the bloodstream to search for other cells to attack, while the originally attacked white blood cells die from the effects of the virus, according to the Mayo Clinic.
AIDS Development
The HIV attacking cycle continues to repeat itself so that billions of new HIV particles are produced every day. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reports that over time, the number of white blood cells in the body decreases dramatically, causing a severe immune deficiency, where the body can no long effectively fight off viruses and bacteria that cause disease.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states HIV officially becomes diagnosed as AIDS when people either have a CD4 positive lymphocyte count of 200 or less or when they have developed an opportunistic infection, such as pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
Early HIV Symptoms
HIV symptoms vary and mostly depend on the stage of infection, according to the Mayo Clinic. When people are first infected with the virus they either have no symptoms or have flu-like illness symptoms, typically starting two to four weeks after transmission. HIV flu-like symptoms consists of fever, headache, sore throat, swollen lymph glands and rash.
Later HIV Symptoms
Individuals may remain symptom-free for as many as eight to nine years post transmission, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, as the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells, people tend to develop infections and chronic symptoms. Chronic symptoms of later HIV infection include swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, cough and shortness of breath.
AIDS Symptoms
The last phase of HIV, where HIV becomes AIDS, typically occurs 10 or more years after initial transmission, according to the Mayo Clinic. The severe damage to the immune system causes more serious symptoms to develop and makes people more susceptible to opportunistic infections. The following are symptoms of opportunistic infections: soaking night sweats, fevers, chronic diarrhea, unusual lesions on tongue and mouth, headaches, blurred vision and weight loss.
Transmission
People become infected with HIV during vaginal, anal or oral sex with an infected partner whose blood, semen or vaginal secretions enter their bodies, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Transmission can also occur through infected blood and blood products someone receives from blood transfusions or through shared needles and syringes. Lastly, HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding.
Risk Factors
Individuals put themselves at increased risk for developing HIV and AIDS if they have unprotected sex with multiple partners, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Unprotected sex means having sex without using a new latex or polyurethane condom. Other risk factors include sharing needles during intravenous drug use, receiving a blood transfusion prior to the year 1985 and having sexually transmitted diseases.
