The human immunodeficiency virus, commonly known as HIV, is an epidemic infection that has affected every country in the world. In the United States it is most often transmitted through unprotected vaginal and anal sex and sharing needles. The virus attacks the immune system over the course of about 10 to 20 years, potentially leading to a failure of the immune system, known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. Teens are at an increased risk for contracting the virus because of a high rate of unsafe sex and drug experimentation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are around 56,000 young Americans with HIV/AIDS and around 2,000 new teens diagnosed each year. Teens with HIV exhibit a range of symptoms depending on how long they have been infected.
Acute Infection
Teens infected with HIV more recently will exhibit the signs of acute infection. The symptoms usually show up within two to four weeks after the initial infection. According to HIV-Symptoms.info, an online HIV resource, the most common signs of acute infection include a fever, headaches, pain in limbs, a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, skin rash, nausea and muscle aches. These symptoms do not usually warrant an HIV test because they are more often caused by common teen infections like the cold and flu. The acute symptoms of HIV usually subside with two weeks. If parents are concerned their child might have HIV, they should have his blood tested rather than use visual signs alone.
Middle Stage Symptoms
After the acute infection has subsided, the virus continues to weaken the immune system by reducing the white blood cell count. This period can last up 10 years and symptoms can vary depending on whether patients are taking anti-retroviral medications. Children infected with HIV may show middle stage symptoms during their teen years. The MayoClinic.com states that some of the more common symptoms of middle stage HIV are swollen lymph nodes, chronic diarrhea, chronic weight loss, recurrent fever and cough with shortness of breath. Other middle stage symptoms may include chronic fatigue, persistent skin rashes, short term memory loss and an increased susceptibility to herpes infections.
Final Stages
Teens who exhibit the final stage symptoms of HIV were most likely infected at birth or as infants due to the progression of the disease taking around 10 years or longer. As HIV progresses, patients start to show the signs of a severely compromised immune system. Teens may have difficulty gaining weight and growing normally, have problems with walking and have delayed mental development. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases states that the later symptoms of HIV include profuse night sweats, extreme fatigue, prolonged swelling of the lymph nodes, pneumonia, red or brown spots on the skin, memory loss, depression and other neurological disorders.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: HIV Prevalence Estimates-United States, 2006
- HIV-Symptoms.info: HIV Symptoms
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:HIV/AIDS Symptoms
- National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information:Tips for Teens: HIV/AIDS
- KidsHealth.org: TeenHealth-HIV and AIDS
