The symptoms of HIV are some of the most important symptoms to monitor for. Unfortunately, these symptoms will change from one phase of the disease to another. More so, they can be different from one person to another person too. It is essential for anyone that could have been infected with the disease, such as anyone that is sexually active, to have regular screenings for such diseases. The fact is that during the first phase of the disease, which happens just after you have gotten it, the condition can actually have no symptoms at all. This is why testing is very important for anyone that is regular sexually active, especially if they are with more than one partner, or their partner is with more than one person.
Early Symptoms of HIV
If you have been infected with HIV or Aids, it is likely that you will have no symptoms for some time. Yet, it is common for individuals that have first gotten the disease to experience some symptoms during the first two to six weeks of exposure. Usually these symptoms are flu like illnesses. You may have a fever, chills, nausea and vomiting during this time, which would last for several days. Additional symptoms that could be present at this time will include a sore throat, coughing, a rash and/or swollen lymph glands. You may experience intense headaches too. Some or all of these symptoms can be present at the same time. Not everyone will have this initial symptom of HIV.
It is important to realize too that as soon as you are given the HIV virus, you are able to spread the disease to others. This is true even if you have no symptoms at all of the disease in your body. As soon as you are infected with HIV, the body's immune system is attacked by it. At this time, the virus is multiplying incredibly and usually in the lymph nodes. Once it does this, it rapidly begins its next path which is to destroy the T cells in your blood which help your body incredibly. These are the white blood cells in your blood that help to keep your immune system healthy. They are called CD4 Lymphocytes.
No Symptoms ?
If you do not have any symptoms of HIV, but think you could have been infected, it is very possible. For many people, after this initial phase of symptoms, there are no additional symptoms for several years or more. Some people remain symptom free for six, seven, eight or more years. This stage is usually a very troublesome because many have no idea that they have been infected with HIV and because they have no symptoms of HIV may believe that they are fine. Even still, during this time, you could be spreading the illness to others without even realizing that you are.
The Onset of Symptoms
After a period of time where no symptoms are seen, the disease progresses to the point where it begins to show signs of wear and tear on the body. The virus is multiplying during this time and in the process it is destroying the immune cells within your body. Mild infections can also happen and you may develop chronic conditions that range widely.
Here are some of the many chronic and mild infections that are seen during this stage of the HIV infection :
- Swollen lymph nodes: this is often one of the most telling signs of HIV infections in patients at this stage.
- Weight loss that is unexplainable. Weight may vary from up and down ranges without any "reason" for doing so.
- A fever that is seemingly out of no where, where there are no actual infections on the body that are known.
- Cough and shortness of breath may also happen, which are serious signs of infection and should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.
- Patients may experience constant or regular bouts of diarrhea.
Final Phase of HIV
The symptoms of HIV are pronounced during the final stages of the disease. This can happen about ten or more years after you are first infected with the condition. If you have not gotten help for your conditions at this point, it is likely that you will begin to see significant changes to the point of needing medical attention now. Symptoms that happen now will begin to appear in growing strength and in more difficulty to get rid of.
At this point, the symptoms of HIV may meet the official definition that government has set for AIDS. To be defined as an AIDS infection, your body must have been shown to have a positive HIV antibody tests as well as one other criteria. This includes having what is called an opportunistic infection which is one that happens when your body has been struggling with an immune system that is not functioning normally. Or, you must have a CD4 lymphocyte (T blood cell) count of 200 or less. The normal range for health people is a T Cell blood count of 600 to 1000.
Individuals reaching this point are prone to various symptoms of HIV, now AIDS. These symptoms are actually called opportunistic infections, which are standard viruses and other illnesses that are unable to be fought by your weakened immune system. Some of the possible symptoms here include :
- Night sweats that are extreme to the point of soaking you
- Chills that are powerful and that cause you to shake
- A fever as high as 100 F that lasts for several weeks
- A dry cough with a shortness of breath
- White spots or other lesions on your tongue. These can be found throughout the mouth.
- Headaches that are intense
- Weight loss that is unexplained
- Blurred vision or vision that is distorted in some way.
Other infections are the symptoms of HIV in its final stage such as unexplainable fatigue, swollen lymph nodes that have been that way for more than three months, chronic diarrhea as well as headaches that do not go away.
If you have any of these conditions or symptoms of HIV, it is imperative that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.
By Kimberly Dayton
