Early Symptoms of AIDS: What Are They?

The symptoms that individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) may experience vary depending on the stage of infection they have reached. So what are the early symptoms of AIDS, when do they appear, and can they be relied upon for diagnosis?

What are the Early Symptoms of AIDS?

Doctors use the term AIDS to refer to the final stage of HIV infection. If infected with this virus and not receiving proper treatment, the virus will completely weaken the person's immune system, leading to the development of AIDS. Therefore, the symptoms of HIV infection in the first stage are essentially the same as the early symptoms of AIDS.

During the first stage, known as acute infection, primary infection, or acute retroviral syndrome, some individuals experience common symptoms resembling those of the flu. It can be challenging for many to distinguish them from respiratory or digestive system infection symptoms. These symptoms include:

• Fever and chills.
• Headache.
• Fatigue.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Joint or muscle pain.
• Throat inflammation.
• Skin rash.
• Night sweats.
• Mouth ulcers.

These symptoms represent the body's natural response to the virus.

When Do the Early Symptoms Appear?

Usually, the early symptoms appear in the patient within 2 to 4 weeks after being infected with the virus. 

Some individuals do not experience symptoms during the early stage, and only about two-thirds of infected individuals exhibit the early symptoms.

When Do the Early Symptoms Disappear?

The early symptoms of AIDS typically last from a few days to several weeks, and the risk of virus transmission is very high during this time. 

Afterward, the patient enters the second stage of the disease without any symptoms.

Can the Early Symptoms Be Relied Upon for Diagnosis?

The appearance of the mentioned symptoms does not necessarily mean an HIV infection. Many conditions can cause these symptoms. Therefore, relying solely on symptoms for diagnosis is not recommended. Instead, an HIV test should be conducted.

Dear reader, if you are experiencing the early symptoms of AIDS mentioned earlier and believe you have been at risk of HIV infection in recent weeks, it is advisable to undergo testing immediately. Early detection helps obtain effective treatment and prevents the transmission of the infection to others.

Blazma offers an HIV detection test in its sexually transmitted viruses package, providing accurate results.

Advanced Symptoms of AIDS

Here are the symptoms of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in the second and third stages:

• Symptoms of the Second Stage

The second stage of HIV infection is known as the clinical latency stage, where the virus becomes less active. 

During this stage, the patient typically does not experience any symptoms, and this period usually lasts for 10-15 years. 

Despite the absence of symptoms, the patient must receive treatment to prevent the progression of the disease to the third stage.

• Symptoms of the Third Stage (AIDS)

This is the final stage of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as mentioned earlier. Typically, this stage causes the following symptoms:

• Rapid weight loss.
• Recurrent fever.
• Profuse night sweats.
• Severe and unexplained fatigue.
• Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck or groin.
• Shortness of breath.
• Fungal infection in the mouth, throat, or vagina.
• Chronic diarrhea.
• Development of sores in the mouth, anus, or genital organs.
• Pneumonia.
• Appearance of red, brown, pink, or purple spots on the skin or underneath it, inside the nose or mouth, or on the eyelids.
• Neurological symptoms such as memory loss, balance problems, confusion, behavioral changes, and seizures.