Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a virus that is transferred through body fluid contact. This transmission occurs through sexual intercourse and blood transfusion, from mother to child through breast feeding and by injecting drugs. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, an estimated 1.1 million people in the U.S. have HIV. It is a pandemic, infectious disease that destroys the body's immune system, making it unable to fight off infections.
AIDS Virus
In its advanced stages, HIV can also lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, most commonly known as AIDS. According to the international charity organization AVERT, a person has advanced to AIDS when the body develops opportunistic infections. This happens as a result of a weakened immune system. These infections are diverse and include herpes zoster, candidiasis of the mouth and vagina, toxoplasmosis, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and Mycobacterium avium complex. A person can also be diagnosed as having AIDS when the white blood cell count is below 200.
High Fever
HIV can cause several symptoms in patients, such as fever. When HIV damages the immune system, it also reduces the level of white blood cells. The immune system is the main defense mechanism to attack infections. This results in an increase of the body's set internal temperature, as the body attempts to fight off infections that develop due to a weakened immune system. A high fever occurs due to these changes within the body.
Fatigue
The Body, an online resource for HIV information, states that unusual fatigue and weakness is a chief symptom seen in HIV patients. When the immune system is attacked, the number of red blood cells also decreases. Since red blood cells carry oxygen to the body, this reduces the amount of available oxygen, a condition known as anemia. This causes fatigue.
Weight Loss
MayoClinic.com reports that white plaques and lesions can be seen on the tongue and throats of HIV patients, which affects swallowing. HIV patients experience pain and difficulty when eating. This symptom, in addition to the side effects of nausea and diarrhea caused by medications, can result in unintentional weight loss.
