HIV/AIDS – Early Symptoms of HIV Infection

What is AIDS?
AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. It is caused by a virus called HIV; it stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

HIV attacks the key cells in the human body, which fights infections. The CD4+T Cells are part of the immune system in a human body which fights various cancers and infections. After the attack of HIV on CD4+T cells, the Immune system is no longer capable of fighting diseases caused by micro organisms. There is a substantial loss of the number of CD4+T cells and this makes the human body very vulnerable to cancers of any form.

Difference between HIV & AIDS
The term AIDS is an advanced stage of HIV infection, when there is substantial damage to the immune system. A person with HIV infection is does not necessarily get AIDS. When HIV progresses to AIDS, it is a deadly illness and there is absolutely no cure from AIDS.

Half the people who are affected by HIV develop AIDS within 10 years after becoming affected. This time varies from person to person, and many other factors like his health status and life style. A person is said to be affected by AIDS if the CD4+T cells are below 200 in number (healthy person has about 1000 CD4+T cells).

There are more than two dozen AIDS associated conditions, and if any one of these conditions is found, the person is said to be affected by AIDS.

How is the HIV infection established in our body?
The Immune-system cells called dendritic cells begin the process of infection. After exposure, these cells may bind to and carry the virus from the site of infection to the lymph nodes, where other immune system cells become infected. When HIV encounters CD4+ cells, a protein called gp120 that protrudes from HIV’s surface recognizes the CD4+ protein and binds tightly to it. Another viral protein, p24 forms a casing that surrounds HIV’s genetic material. This genetic material is responsible for infecting the cells, producing new viruses and cause disease.

How does HIV spread?.
1. Sexual Intercourse: This is the most common method of spreading the HIV infection. During sexual contact, HIV can enter a body through the lining of vagina, penis, rectum or mouth. Although there are no evidences of HIV being spread by saliva, it is advised not to have an open mouthed kiss. There are possibilities of contact with blood through cuts or sores in mouth.

2. Direct Contact with Infected Blood: By use of illegal drugs, when needles or syringes contaminated with minute quantities of affected blood, HIV can be spread. Also through blood transfusions, if there is any negligence in the heat treatment of the blood before transferring from one patient to another.

3. From an Infected Mother to her unborn Child: Women transmit HIV through their fetuses during pregnancy or birth. This can be avoided if the mother takes the anti HIV drug "AZT" or Zidovudine during pregnancy. The risk is further reduced if by delivering the baby by Cesarean section.

HIV can also spread to babies through the breast milk of infected mother.

How Can HIV not spread?
Touching or hugging, sharing household items like utensils, towels, beddings, contact with sweat or tears, sharing facilities like swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs, or toilets, cough or sneeze with HIV infected persons do not spread the infection. HIV can only be transmitted through intimate contact with infected blood or body fluids.

Although sharing items like utensils, towels are harmless, it is recommended that you don’t share razors and tooth brush.

Symptoms of HIV & AIDS
People infected with HIV show a few symptoms for a few years, but during asymptomatic period, HIV is multiplying fast, infecting and killing cells in the immune system. As the immune system weakens, the symptoms begin to emerge.

Early Symptoms of HIV
Some people develop symptoms within a month or two of exposure to HIV. These people have a flu-like illness with the following symptoms
1. Fever
2. Rash
3. Headache
4. Loss of appetite
5. Swollen glands
6. Achy muscles

These symptoms usually disappear after a week or so. People who experience these early symptoms don’t experience any other signs of infection for a few years.

Other common Symptoms of HIV infection
Usually it takes about 8 to 10 years to notice symptoms of AIDS. These symptoms are,
1. Persistent, difficult and painful enlarged lymph nodes.
2. Excessive fatigue
3. Weight loss
4. Seizures and lack of coordination
5. Mental symptoms like confusion.
6. Frequent fevers
7. Night sweats
8. Chronic or persistent diarrhea
9. Nausea, abdominal cramps and vomiting
10. Genital sores
11. Thrush and mouth lesions
12. Rash of flaky skin
13. Stiffness in joints
14. Bone pain
15. Blurred vision
16. Short term memory loss
17. Repeated viral or fungal infections.
18. Coma

As the CD4+T cell count continues to drop and the immune system deteriorates further, individuals may continue to experience the above symptoms and develop new ones as well.

People with HIV AIDS are more susceptible to various cancers such as Kaposi sarcoma, cervical cancer, and cancers of the immune system known as lymphomas. Kaposi sarcoma causes round, brown, reddish or purple spots that develop in the skin or in the mouth. After the diagnosis of HIV AIDS is made, the average survival time has been estimated to be 2-3 years.