Nearly 38,000 people were diagnosed with AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, in the United States in 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. AIDS is the advanced form of the human immunodeficiency virus, commonly called HIV. People infected with HIV who do not receive treatment may not develop the signs of AIDS for at least 10 years following initial exposure to the virus.
Chronic Diarrhea
People with AIDS commonly experience chronic diarrhea due to this infection, AIDS.gov reports. This sign of AIDS is characterized by frequent, urgent bowel movements that result in the production of runny or loose stools. Chronic diarrhea may also contribute to persistent abdominal symptoms such as pain, cramping or bloating. Extensive fluid loss due to chronic diarrhea symptoms may also increase a person's risk of developing symptoms of dehydration due to AIDS.
Flu-like Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms can arise as signs of AIDS, MedlinePlus warns. These symptoms include fever, chills, swollen glands and weakness. Recurrent night sweats may also occur, which can cause people with AIDS to wake up frequently throughout the night completely drenched in sweat. Sleep disruption caused by night sweats can also contribute to excessive or severe fatigue. This infection can interfere with a person's ability to remain alert or productive during normal daily activities, including work or school. People who develop AIDS typically experience persistent flu-like symptoms that become progressively worse over time.
Wasting Syndrome
Wasting syndrome is a characteristic sign of AIDS. People who develop wasting syndrome experience at least 30 days of chronic diarrhea or weakness in conjunction with the involuntary loss of at least 10 percent of their normal body weight, according to AIDS.gov. Wasting syndrome may also exacerbate symptoms of fatigue or tiredness in infected people.
Opportunistic Infections
HIV infection causes the progressive degradation of a person's immune system. Due to poor immune system function, people with AIDS are at an increased risk of developing opportunistic infections, such as pneumonia and yeast infections. Signs and symptoms associated with opportunistic infections in people with AIDS include nausea, vomiting, headaches, seizures, fever, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and vision loss, the University of California San Francisco Medical Center reports. Additional medical treatment may be necessary to resolve opportunistic infection symptoms in people with AIDS.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Basic Statistics - AIDS Diagnoses
- AIDS.gov: AIDS - Signs and Symptoms
- MedlinePlus: AIDS
- San Francisco AIDS Foundation: The Stages of HIV Disease - Late-Stage HIV Disease (AIDS)
- University of California San Francisco Medical Center: HIV/AIDS - Signs and Symptoms
