The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV damages the body's immune system, leaving it vulnerable to diseases from bacteria, other viruses and fungi. The Mayo Clinic reports that nearly 40 million people worldwide carry HIV. Physical symptoms of HIV vary according to the stage of the infection.
Early Symptoms
Many people have few or no symptoms when they first become exposed to the virus that causes AIDS, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. Most common are flu-like symptoms that often appear within four weeks of becoming infected. Early symptoms of HIV include fever, sore throat and headache. Many people develop swollen lymph node glands and an unexplainable rash. The symptoms typically disappear within a week or so. No matter whether there are symptoms or not, people infected with HIV can transmit the virus immediately.
Ongoing symptoms
The virus begins attacking the immune system once it enters the body. The T-cells, or CD4 lymphocytes, are destroyed by the HIV infection. T-cells are the white blood cells that regulate the immune system. Severe, recognizable symptoms may remain at bay for eight years or more even though the HIV infection is multiplying in the lymph nodes. People with HIV are subject to continuous mild infections as the disease progresses. Swollen lymph nodes may pose a regular problem and are one of the most common signs of HIV infection, report Mayo Clinic doctors. Chronic symptoms may develop and include diarrhea, fever, coughing and shortness of breath. Ongoing HIV symptoms eventually begin to show in recognizable weight loss.
Late Symptoms
After about 10 years, the HIV infection begins to take a dramatic toll on the body. More severe symptoms begin to appear that usually signal the beginning of AIDS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has defined guidelines that specify the late symptoms of HIV and the onset of AIDS. HIV becomes AIDS when the patient has a CD4 lymphocyte count of less than 200 or an opportunistic infection such as pneumonia that developed because of the compromised immune system. More severe symptoms also begin to develop and may include a fever higher than 100 degrees that lasts for more than a week, chronic diarrhea and soaking night sweats. A dry cough, chronic headaches and blurred vision are common symptoms in late-stage HIV infection. Many people develop lesions of persistent white spots on their tongues and mouths. Fatigue and swollen lymph nodes for three months or more are also common as the disease progresses.
