understanding HIV/AIDS infections

Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV/AIDS weakens a person’s ability to fight infections. It is contracted through unprotected sex or needle sharing. An HIV test confirms diagnosis. Medications may suppress the virus and delay the onset of AIDS.

SYMPTOMS:

Within a month or two of HIV entering the body, 40% to 90% of people experience flulike symptoms known as acute retroviral syndrome (ARS).

But sometimes HIV symptoms don’t appear for years—sometimes even a decade—after infection.

“In the early stages of HIV infection, the most common symptoms are none,” says Michael Horberg, MD, director of HIV/AIDS for Kaiser Permanente, in Oakland, Calif. One in five people in the United States with HIV doesn’t know they have it, which is why it’s so important to get tested, especially if you have unprotected sex with more than one partner or use intravenous drugs.

Here are some signs that you may be HIV-positive.

• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Aching muscles
• Sore throat
• Red rash that doesn’t itch, usually on the torso.
• Fever

The Period Without Symptoms of HIV – the Second Stage

After the first seroconversion period, the immune system loses the battle with HIV and symptoms go away. HIV infection goes into its second stage, which can be a long period without symptoms, called theasymptomatic (or latent ) period. This is when people may not know they are infected and can pass HIV on to others. This period can last 10 or more years.

During this period without symptoms, HIV is slowly killing the CD4 T-cells and destroying the immune system. Blood tests during this time can reveal the number of these CD4 T-cells. Normally, a person has a CD4 T-cell count between 450 and 1,400 cells per microliter. This number changes constantly, depending on a person’s state of health. For an HIV-infected person, the number of CD4 T-cells steadily drops, making them vulnerable to other infections — and in danger of developing AIDS.

HIV Infection and AIDS – the Third Stage

AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the advanced stage of HIV infection. When the CD4 T-cell number drops below 200, people are diagnosed with AIDS.

Someone infected with HIV can also be diagnosed with AIDS if they have an “AIDS defining illness” such as Kaposi’s sarcoma (a form of skin cancer) or pneumocystispneumonia (alung disease).

Fortunately, combination medications used to treat HIV — a ”cocktail” – can help rebuild the immune system. These drugs can be expensive and pose challenges with side effects, but it is critical to not stop taking them without talking to your doctor. It is also important not to take part of the medications without taking the others. People with low CD4 T-cells may also receive drugs to prevent opportunistic infections. These preventative medications should be taken until the CD4 count has improved.

Some people don’t know they were infected with HIV, and only discover their HIV infection after experiencing some of these HIV-related symptoms:

• Being tired all of the time
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or groin
• Fever lasting for more than 10 days
• Night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• Purplish spots on the skin that don’t go away
• Shortness of breath
• Severe, long-lasting diarrhea
• Yeast infections in the mouth, throat, or vagina
• Easy bruising or unexplained bleeding

Call Your Doctor About HIV or AIDS If:

Call your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms of HIV/AIDS. These are serious signs of disease, which could be HIV-related.

Tests
The HIV Test
What does it mean to get an HIV test? Here’s the scoop.

HIV Viral Load
After finding out whether you have HIV, you need to know your viral load. Learn about this test here.
CD4 Cell Count
HIV attacks immune cells called CD4 cells. This test keeps track of how many you’ve got left. Learn more about this essential test that, all by itself, can determine whether or not you have AIDS.

Pregnancy and HIV Testing
Doctors recommend all pregnant women get tested for HIV. Medications are available to prevent the spread of the virus to your unborn babyHIV attacks immune cells called CD4 cells. This test keeps track of how many you’ve got left.

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