Since the first reported case in 1981, AIDS has become a pandemic, report researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is caused by the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV destroys the body's immune system so that it can no longer fight infections and cancer. Opportunistic infections that don't harm healthy people strike those with AIDS and become life threatening.
Fatigue
Fatigue that cannot be alleviated with rest becomes chronic as HIV worsens and develops into AIDS. In the early stages of AIDS, patients become lethargic and have a constant lack of energy. They lose their appetite and begin to lose large amounts of weight.
Infections
Often one of the first signs of AIDS is having an infection that doesn't respond to medication and refuses to heal. Women often experience pelvic inflammatory infections that don't respond to treatment. Men and women both get persistent yeast infections. They frequently have high fevers that are accompanied by cold sweats. As infections progress, many patients develop a bad cough or have difficulty breathing. They may suffer from diarrhea on a regular basis, as well as nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramping. Children develop persistent ear infections and come down with more severe instances of other childhood diseases such as tonsillitis or pneumonia.
Lesions
Lesions come and go during the early stages of AIDS. White and brown lesions in and around the mouth are common. Skin rashes appear regularly and the skin becomes very dry. Some patients develop severe herpes infections around the mouth or genitals. Others present with advanced episodes of shingles. Children with AIDS typically grow much more slowly than their peers.
Confusion
The first signs of AIDS include short-term memory loss and persistent confusion. In addition to difficulty with physical development, an early sign of AIDS in children is delayed mental development, as they may have learning disorders and difficulty controlling their emotions.
Other signs
Vision loss, seizures and a newly acquired lack of coordination can all be early signs of AIDS. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic report that constantly swollen lymph nodes for as long at three months at a time are one of the first signs of AIDS. While the lymphatic system may become distressed during the early stages of HIV infection, the condition goes away for 10 years or more until it returns with AIDS.
