HIV/AIDS: Symptoms

What are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS?

The symptoms of HIV/AIDS infection result from the HIV attacking the cells of the body’s immune system. Early in the disease, many people with HIV infection have no symptoms. Some people may experience flu-like symptoms that occur about four to eight weeks after infection. Early symptoms of HIV/AIDS can include:

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Recurring fever

• Swollen glands

• Weight loss

• Yeast infections

Serious late-stage symptoms and complications of HIV/AIDS

Mild, early-stage symptoms of HIV/AIDS generally go away within several weeks after exposure to the virus.  There may be no symptoms as many as 10 years or longer after HIV infection. Over this time, HIV gradually destroys the helper T cells of the immune system. This leads to a weakening of the body’s immune system, which can result in: 

• Certain cancers such as Kaposi’s sarcoma

• Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance due to long-term diarrhea

• Depression

• Encephalitis

• Hepatitis

• Herpes

• Neurological problems such as memory loss, confusion, and dementia

• Pneumonia

• Serious opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus, meningitis, yeast infections, and toxoplasmosis 

• Shingles

• Wasting syndrome