The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, causes AIDS by slowly attacking the immune system and leaving the body susceptible to potentially fatal infections and diseases. HIV and AIDS symptoms vary, depending on the phase of infection, and many with HIV can remain symptom-free for years. Without treatment, however, most people with HIV will ultimately succumb to AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
Primary HIV Infection
While some are not aware of any changes in their health right off the bat, others suffer from a brief flu-like illness two to four weeks after exposure to the virus. The National Institutes of Health and National Library of Medicine website Medline Plus labels this phase “acute HIV infection,” and the Mayo Clinic refers to the initial illness as “acute retroviral syndrome.” This primary HIV infection usually occurs a few weeks after exposure and can present as a brief rash and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms usually disappear within a few days or weeks.
Early Symptomatic HIV
During the early symptomatic HIV stage, patients often are symptom-free. Mild infections or chronic symptoms may exist, according to the Mayo Clinic, and can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, cough and shortness of breath.
AIDS
When a person’s CD4 T-cell count drops below 200, their immune system has been highly compromised and the HIV infection has progressed to AIDS. Opportunistic infections caused by viruses and bacteria that an otherwise healthy immune system could fight off become commonplace. Examples of AIDS-related opportunistic infections include pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, or PCP, and certain types of cancers like Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphoma. Symptoms are wide-ranging, and according to the international AIDS charity AVERT, and depend on the particular virus or disease affecting the body. The Mayo Clinic states that this last phase usually occurs 10 or more years after initial infection, although delay is possible thanks to medications. High fevers, soaking night sweats, vision problems, weight loss from chronic diarrhea and oral lesions are also common and are the result of these opportunistic infections
Symptoms in Children
Symptoms of HIV infection in children may differ slightly from their infected adult counterparts, according to the Mayo Clinic. HIV-positive children often have trouble gaining weight and may experience growth and mental development delays. Because of a compromised immune system, children with HIV may experience more severe forms of common childhood illnesses like ear infections and tonsillitis, and respiratory infections may easily progress to pneumonia.
Importance of Testing
The symptoms associated with the earlier stages of HIV infection are very common and can easily be confused with other illnesses. Because of this, it is not possible to diagnose HIV or AIDS based on symptoms alone, and testing is necessary for a definitive diagnosis. People worried about HIV exposure, and who have symptoms, should discuss these concerns with their doctor.
