HIV Symptoms

HIV stands for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus. It is responsible for causing AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) in humans. HIV belongs to the group of retrovirus. As this virus enters into the body, it starts destroying the cells of the immune system. In the meantime, the immune system tries to make new cells but gradually HIV destroys the capability of the body to fight infection and new cells formation.

Mainly a person gets HIV infection after unprotected intercourse with the infected person. It can also be acquired easily by intravenous drug users who share needles with others. A fetus can get the HIV infection through the mother at the time of delivery or during pregnancy. Sometimes, the infection can also be transmitted at the time of transfusion of blood or blood component if the donor is having the HIV infection.

When HIV enters into the body of a human being, no HIV symptoms are produced for some weeks to months. After this, some common flu-like HIV symptoms are produced which remains for some days and then goes by their own. These symptoms are fever, swollen neck lymph nodes, headache, pain in muscles and fatigue. After the symptoms disappear, the patient feels better and then no HIV symptoms would appear for next few years. This refers to the asymptomatic phase of HIV infection.

During this asymptomatic phase, virus remains active in the body without producing HIV symptoms. It keeps on multiplying and destroying the immune cells especially CD4 cells. During this period, the person is highly infective and can transmit the infection very easily to others. This stage can remain for as long as 10 years or even more.

If proper treatment is not given to person of HIV infection in the asymptomatic stage then progression to AIDS becomes fast. During this period, severe HIV symptoms are noticed which are actually the symptoms of AIDS. Some of these symptoms are fever with night sweats, body rash, sudden weight loss without any cause, chronic yeast infection, bruising, purple colored lesions on the skin and inside of mouth, extreme exhaustion and continuous diarrhea for more than one month.

A person who develops HIV symptoms due to AIDS, are more prone to get opportunistic infections because of the lowered immunity of the body. These are pulmonary tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis (due to this person will have trouble in thinking), invasive cervical cancer, recurrent pneumonia, kaposi's sarcoma, candidiasis of trachea and esophagus, severe bacterial infections like MAC which is responsible for weight loss and fever, lymphoma (cancer of lymphoid tissue) etc.

The diagnosis of HIV is done through western blot blood test, antibody test, combination test and RNA test. However, initial HIV symptoms are not useful in diagnosis as these are very vague and common and thus are found in many other viral diseases.

However, there is no cure for a fully established case of AIDS. But medications are given to lower down the sufferings of the patient. In such cases, HAART i.e. Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy is recommended. This therapy prevents the development of complications.