HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a sexually transmitted disease that severely weakens the immune system. No cure exists for HIV, though treatment attempts to slow down the progression of the disorder. Over time, HIV progresses into AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. An infected patient may not have symptoms when he first becomes infected; therefore, at-risk persons should be re-tested for HIV three months after the first test, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Early HIV Symptoms
The early stage of HIV is when the patient becomes infected, and lasts up to eight or nine years, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some patients may be asymptomatic, meaning that they do not display any symptoms. Other patients may initially have flu-like symptoms, which can last for two to four weeks. These symptoms include a rash, fever, swollen lymph glands, headache or a sore throat.
Later HIV Symptoms
As the disorder progresses, more symptoms of HIV can appear. The first noticeable symptom is swollen lymph nodes, which can be identified by touch. Symptoms from the early stage may also appear in the later stages, such as sore throat and fever. Female patients can have frequent yeast infections. Other symptoms in this stage of HIV include diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue and muscle stiffness. Shortness of breath and coughing can also occur, as well as sores in the mouth.
AIDS Symptoms
Once the disease has progressed to AIDS, the patient's immune system is compromised, leaving him susceptible to infections. Patients continue to have headaches, fevers, swollen lymph glands, coughing, shortness of breath and weight loss. The diarrhea becomes chronic, and patients also have night sweats, chills and weakness. Vision becomes affected during AIDS, resulting in blurred and distorted vision. The mouth sores from the later stages of HIV progress during AIDS into lesions on the tongue or mouth, or white spots in the same areas.
