Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) weakens the body’s immune system, making it harder to fight infections. If untreated, HIV can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of infection. Recognizing symptoms at different stages is crucial for early detection and treatment.
Early Stage: Acute HIV Infection
- When it appears: 2–4 weeks after exposure
- Typical signs:
- Fever, chills, and night sweats
- Headache and fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Sore throat and muscle aches
- Skin rash
- These flu-like symptoms may last for days or weeks and are often mistaken for common viral illnesses.
Middle Stage: Clinical Latency
- Duration: Can last 10+ years without treatment
- Characteristics:
- Virus remains active but reproduces at low levels
- Many people show no obvious symptoms
- Some may experience mild infections or persistent swollen lymph nodes
- With antiretroviral therapy (ART), this stage can be prolonged for decades.
Advanced Stage: AIDS
- Definition: Severe immune system damage due to untreated HIV
- Symptoms:
- Rapid weight loss and chronic fatigue
- Recurring fever or heavy night sweats
- Persistent diarrhea
- Prolonged swelling of lymph nodes
- Pneumonia and other opportunistic infections
- Skin blotches (red, brown, pink, or purple) inside the mouth or under the skin
- Neurological issues such as memory loss or depression
- Opportunistic infections and certain cancers (e.g., Kaposi’s sarcoma, tuberculosis) are common at this stage.
Key Points
- Symptoms alone cannot confirm HIV — testing is the only reliable method.
- Prompt HIV testing and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) are vital to halting progression to AIDS.
- Those who achieve and sustain an undetectable viral load through ART cannot transmit HIV through sexual contact.