HIV Symptoms

Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is a deadly virus that attacks the immune system of the body. This sexually transmitted disease (STD) interferes with the proper functioning of the immune system and makes the body more susceptible to a myriad of diseases. The body loses its ability to fight against disease causing viruses and bacteria and fall prey to infections like meningitis and pneumonia, and various types of cancer. If HIV symptoms prolong and are left untreated, then they may cause AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), which is a fatal disease. A total of approximately 39.5 million people worldwide, have been affected by AIDS. Though in some countries, this deadly disease has seen a considerable decline, but in some countries the number of people affected has not changed and has even seen a growth.

The HIV can affect an individual in phases. There are three phases of infection, namely, the initial or early phase of infection, the later phase and the latest phase of infection. Once the virus enters the body, it begins to develop at a fast pace. Though initially the presence of this virus is not so evident, it can be passed on to others. The virus dwells in the lymph nodes where it duplicates and multiplies. The virus attacks the CD4 lymphocytes (or T cells) and completely destroys the white blood cells hence affecting the immunity of the body. Every phase of infection shows different symptoms and sometimes these symptoms can be mistaken as just a common cold or flu like symptoms. The early HIV symptoms in men are similar to that of women. Let's see more about the different phases of the indications of the presence of HIV in the body.

HIV Symptoms: Initial Stages
The initial or the early stages of HIV infection show no signs and symptoms. The early symptoms of HIV infection may develop two to four weeks after the individual has been infected. The individual may complain of severe and persistent headache accompanied by fever, swelling in the lymph glands, sore throat and HIV symptoms rash, where the skin appears to be dry, itchy and flaky. These symptoms can be controlled with the help of a few AIDS vaccines that are not yet completely preventive though. More on.

HIV Symptoms: Later Stages
These symptoms develop after eight or nine years of the first attack of the virus. The virus continues to attack and destroy the lymphocytes thus hampering the production of new white blood cells, which may lead to mild or chronic infections like unexplained weight loss, loose stools, cough accompanied by shortness of breath etc.

HIV Symptoms: Latest Stages
The latest stages of infection occur only after ten years of the first symptoms. The symptoms in this stage can be defined as AIDS, where there is a decline in the lymphocyte count and the immune system is completely destroyed. In this stage the affected individual may experience chills with a very high fever up to 102 ºF, night sweats, blurred vision, chronic headache and diarrhea, eruption of lesions and white spots on the tongue and mouth. The individual may also look completely fatigued and the signs of weight loss become evident. This stage can also lead to the development of cancers like cervical cancer, lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma. The survival rates of this stage is very rare as it mostly leads to the death of the affected individual.

HIV Symptoms in Children
HIV can be transmitted to the child when it is in its mother's womb and when it is breastfed. Some children also contract this deadly virus during childbirth. The symptoms of HIV vary according to the age of the child. The signs of HIV may be mild, moderate or severe. A child who has tested positive for HIV will show the following symptoms;

• Infants who are infected by the HIV may not show the symptoms of HIV, but in some cases the infant develops persistent diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, a yeast infection of the mouth called thrush and sometimes a swollen abdomen. The infant also becomes irritable and difficult to console.
• The milder HIV symptoms include sinus infections, ear infections and skin rashes. The child has problems in weight gain. In some cases, the child may also experience unexplained loss of weight.
• Common illnesses, in the next stage of HIV, like pneumonia, infections in the ears and tonsillitis may become severe. The child may also experience severe chickenpox, inflammation of the liver and lung tissues, high fever and kidney diseases. There is also a considerable delay in the mental development of the child.
• Normal growth of the child, according to the age, is affected since the organs in the body are under developed. The child also has problems while walking due to malformed legs.
• Severe HIV symptoms include development of multiple infections like bacterial infections, encephalopathy, systemic yeast infection, cancer and pneumocystis pneumonia, which is a severe form of pneumonia.

In order to stem the growth of HIV symptoms and AIDS, proper prevention techniques, awareness about this disease and treatment must be implemented.