Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is a life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. This virus attacks the immune system, allowing the infected person to be more susceptible to other viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease. Without proper treatment, about half of those with HIV develop AIDS within 10 years, according to the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. There are specific changes that take place in those infected with HIV that indicate the beginning signs of AIDS.
Worsening HIV Symptoms
The University of California San Francisco Medical Center states that the worsening of the HIV infection itself is a sign of the development of AIDS. The signs and symptoms of this include persistent, unexplained fatigue, soaking night sweats, shaking chills and fever in excess of 100 degrees F, swelling of the lymph nodes for more than three months, chronic diarrhea, persistent headaches and rapid weight loss.
Opportunistic Infection
AIDS develops when the immune system is so damaged by HIV, it cannot fight off infection or disease. These infections then have the opportunity to enter the body and provide a host of complications. According to MayoClinic.com, the signs of these opportunistic infections—which indicate that AIDS is beginning— include soaking night sweats, shaking chills, fever higher than 100 degrees F, dry cough and shortness of breath, chronic diarrhea, spots or lesions on the tongue or in the mouth, headaches, blurred vision and weight loss. Other signs can be as severe as mental confusion and coma.
Low Lymphocyte Count
Lymphocytes, also known as T-cells, are white blood cells that assist in preventing infection in the body. A lymphocyte count test is usually performed to determine the presence of an immunodeficiency disorder, such as AIDS, or to determine if a course of treatment is helping raise the lymphocyte count. According to MayoClinic.com, a CD4 lymphocyte count of 200 or less determines the presence of AIDS. A normal count is between 800 and 1,200.
