Aids is a chronic disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus. According to Drugs.com, by damaging the immune system, HIV interferes with the body's ability to fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease, making the body more susceptible to certain types of cancers and infections. The HIV virus can be spread through sexual contact with an infected partner, contaminated needles, blood transfusions or during childbirth and breast feeding from mother to child. Early detection and treatment is essential to providing the best possible outcome following infection with the HIV virus.
Flu-Like Symptoms
Patients may experience fever, headache, fatigue and swollen lymph glands following exposure to HIV. These symptoms may be similar to those one would experience with the flu. Swollen lymph glands may be present anywhere throughout the body but are more likely to manifest in the neck area. They may be tender to the touch or painless. A patient may develop these symptoms at the time of seroconversion, which is when a person's HIV status changes from negative to positive because of the presence of the HIV antibody in the blood. This usually occurs about two to four weeks following initial infection. During this time the infected person is contagious and can spread the disease to others. Some patients do not experience any of these symptoms and may remain symptom free for several years. Those who have engaged in high-risk behavior should consider being tested for HIV. A simple saliva or blood test can diagnose HIV.
Rash
The HIV rash may appear as slightly raised, and small and dark in color. It may affect any part of the body, but is usually seen on the face and trunk and possibly the hands and feet. The development of rash is a very early symptom of HIV that may appear about two or three weeks following infection. Any patient that develops an unknown rash should seek medical attention.
Symptoms of Late Infection
After several years of infection with HIV, the virus has already destroyed many of the body's immune cells. Swollen lymph glands, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, cough and shortness of breath, night sweats, blurred vision, skin lesions, and mouth ulcers can occur, reports MayoClinic.com. Some patients may develop an opportunistic infection such as pneumocystis carinii pneumonia or toxoplasmosis. If HIV remains untreated, the patient may develop AIDS.
