The following are some of the symptoms that may serve as an indicator of HIV infection:
Rapid weight loss
Drying cough
Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
Profound and unexplained fatigue
Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin, or neck
Diarrhea that lasts more than one week
White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth, or in the throat
Pneumonia
Red, brown, pink, or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose, or eyelids
Memory loss, depression, and other neurological disorders
It is difficult to asses infection based solely on these symptoms alone, for every virus will affect each infected individual differently. Some may experience just a few of these symptoms while others may experience all of them. It is also difficult to associate some of these symptoms with a major problem like HIV infection. Things such as pneumonia, rapid weight loss, drying cough, or profound fatigue alone may not trigger the idea of HIV infection, as these symptoms could mean a number of different things. Because of this, it is beneficial to look at the more precise symptoms of the disease that occur inside the body as well as outside.
Within 1-4 weeks of initial infection, some individuals may experience a primary HIV infection, acute retroviral syndrome. This infection would consist of fever, malaise, rash, arthralgias, and generalized lymphadenopathy that lasts from 3-14 days. This is followed by the seroconversion for the HIV antibody within anywhere from a few days to about 3 months, at which point the individual becomes an antibody-positive, asymptomatic carrier. While a person is infected with HIV they may experience ailments such as Leukopenia, anemia, and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, symptoms that are not indicative of the development of AIDS.
Those with HIV may also experience a slew of neurological symptoms. These neurological conditions are often signs of AIDS development. Some examples are peripheral neuropathy, myopathy, aseptic meningitis, and subacute encephalitis which can cause seizures, loss of sensory and motor function, memory loss, dementia, etc. Most commonly lost or damaged neurological functions are those involved in learning, attention, and the speed at which the individual can process information. Opportunistic infections, such as toxoplasmic encephalitis and tuberculosis, can also affect the brain. These infections are opportunistic because they take advantage of the comprised immune system of the carrier. Neoplasms of the brain can also occur.
Anemia is an example of a hematological symptom (those involving the blood). These symptoms usually respond well to treatment and do not cause any significant problems in the infected individual. Anemia may cause weakness and fatigue, and profuse bleeding is generally not a problem.
HIV/AIDS carriers often experience many different GI (gastrointestinal) symptoms. These include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which aid in rapid weight loss and the lack of nutrition to the body that many sufferers of advanced AIDS face. Opportunistic infections often occur throughout the GI tract, including the esophagus, stomach, bowel, and oropharynx. The infections include herpes simplex, Salmonella, yeast infection, and lymphoma. Drug-associated conditions, such as pancreatitis and hepatitis, can also occur, making treatment difficult.
The most commonly recognized symptoms of HIV/AIDS are the dermatologic symptoms. These are symptoms that can be seen on the skin and include Kaposi’s sarcoma-- slightly elevated pink, purple or red papules or round/oval brown or purple plaques that appear on the skin. Rashes, lesions, ulcers and boils are also common symptoms associated with the skin.
Those who suffer from HIV/AIDS also endure oral symptoms. Thrush, a type of yeast infection that generally lies on the back of the tongue, is the most common oral symptom. Other oral problems include oral hairy leukoplakia (large, white filform patches on the sides of the tongue), ulcers, and periodontal disease which can lead to severe gum disease, bleeding, and tooth loss. Sarcoma and lymphomas may also occur in the oral cavity. Pulmonary symptoms affect many carriers, with the most common being TB. The lungs are also susceptible to many opportunistic infections caused by fungi, as well as different types of bacterial pneumonia. Sarcoma and B-cell lymphoma can also invade the lungs. Symptoms do not differ much in men in women, aside from women having a higher risk for cervical problems as well as increased frequency in vaginal yeast infections. It may also be difficult to treat some STD’s in women who are infected with HIV. Cardiovascular symptoms (such as cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure) and renal insufficiency or nephritic syndrome can also be a source of severe disability in AIDS patients.AIDS itself has no symptoms. Because the immune system is devastated, disease symptoms are specific to the kind of infections a person may have. When a person's T cells get very low, doctors prescribe drugs to prevent infections.
Sometimes people don't seek medical help until they have AIDS. They may have some of the following symptoms:
Being tired all the time
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or groin
Fever lasting 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
2006-07-30 17:50:30
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answer #1
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answered by purple 6
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