Human immunodeficiency virus, commonly known as HIV, is the virus that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The virus essentially attacks the human immunity system, leaving it vulnerable to infectious bacteria and viruses you may normally have the ability to fight off. There are many potential infections that HIV makes you vulnerable to. There is no cure for the disease yet, but there are treatments for the symptoms.
Early-Stage Symptoms
Most people who become infected with HIV do not immediately get symptoms that you might associated with the disease. After exposure through sexual contact, blood transfusions or sharing needles, you may get some symptoms that appear similar to those of the flu or a cold. These may include a rash, a fever, glandular swelling of the lymphatic system, throat soreness or headaches. The Mayo Clinic reports that you will be contagious even if you display no symptoms of HIV infection.
Later-Stage Symptoms
Many people have no symptoms after they are exposed to HIV for as many as nine years or longer. However, the virus is working its way into your body and destroying white blood cells that fight infections. So, as your immune system weakens, you may begin to get such symptoms as shortness of breath, lymph node swelling, fevers, diarrhea and weight loss. These symptoms may be mild, but they also may continue longer than normal or be continual.
Last-Stage Symptoms
After 10 years or longer, you may develop symptoms that indicate the HIV infection has become AIDS. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a specific definition for the transformation from HIV to AIDS: if you test positive for the HIV virus and you either have a white blood cell count of 200 or less, or if you develop an infection referred to as opportunistic because it occurs only because your immunity is impaired (for example, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia). There also are other symptoms of the HIV infection such as headaches that persist, fatigue that persists and is unexplained, chronic diarrhea, night sweats, lymph node swelling lasting three-plus months and a fever of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit lasting for several weeks with chills.
