The term AIDS is an abbreviation for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, the late stages of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. After it infects the body, the HIV virus slowly destroys the immune system. The normal role of the immune system to fight off other types of infections, such as viruses, bacteria and fungi. As the HIV virus destroys the immune system, the body becomes susceptible to infections that it can normally fight off. As HIV infection develops into AIDS, chronic symptoms begin to develop, many of which can resemble other types of infection.
Initial Infection
Within two to six weeks after the HIV virus first infects the body, a person may experience severe flu-like symptoms, sometimes called "the worst flu ever," according to AIDS.gov. This primary HIV infection may cause symptoms of chills, rash, fever, sore muscles, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat and night sweats. These symptoms often resolve within a few weeks. However, some people experience no symptoms at all when the virus first infects their body. During this initial phase, high levels of virus are circulating through the blood, meaning that the person is highly infectious.
First AIDS Symptoms
After the initial infection, most people do not experience any more symptoms for eight, 10 or even up to 20 years. During this time, the HIV virus is slowly infecting and destroying the cells of the immune system. Often one of the first indications of the onset of full-blown AIDS is lymph nodes that become swollen and remain swollen for three months or more. Chronic diarrhea and rapid weight loss may also occur, accompanied by recurring high fevers, shaking chills and night sweats that soak the sheets. Some people in the early stages of AIDS may experience unexplained, severe fatigue; persistent, dry cough; and shortness of breath.
Additional Symptoms
Because the immune system in a person with AIDS is severely weakened, patients with AIDS often suffer from repeated infections of pneumonia, oral or vaginal yeast infections, and outbreaks of herpes virus causing sores on the mouth, genitals or anus. Another common early sign of AIDS is unusual white splotches in the mouth, throat or tongue, or unusual purple, brown or pink blemishes in the mouth, nose or eyelids, or under the skin on other parts of the body. As AIDS progresses, people may also suffer from "AIDS dementia," a decline in mental function including memory loss and confusion, according to MedlinePlus.
