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What are the symptoms for HIV

There are 3 stages for HIV which have different symptoms :


1. First stage - Acute HIV

The symptoms of HIV show up after 2-4 weeks of being infected with the virus. People infected develop a flu-like illness that may last for a few weeks. Some of the symptoms are fever, headaches, muscle pain or joint pain, rash, sore throat, swollen lymph glands mainly in the neck, weight loss, diarrhea, cough, and night sweats. These symptoms can be mild and can go undetected.


2. Second stage - Clinical latent infection (Chronic HIV)

This is the second stage of HIV and is called clinical latency. The virus is present in the body however there might not be any symptoms in the body. This stage can last for years for some people if they are still not detected. People who have symptoms can have fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, oral yeast infection, shingles, and pneumonia.


3. Third Stage - AIDS Untreated HIV leads to AIDS.

Typically it takes 8-10 years for HIV to turn into AIDS. AIDS is the final stage of HIV where the immune system of the affected individual is severely damaged. They are extremely vulnerable to developing other diseases that would have otherwise caused no illness for a healthy immune system individual. These infections are called opportunistic infections. Some of the symptoms during this stage are sweats, chills, recurring fever, persistent white spots on the tongue or mouth, persistent fatigue, weight loss, weakness, and skin rash and bumps. Without treatment, people diagnosed with AIDS can survive up to 3 years.


Sources:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/

https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids

https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/symptoms-of-hiv

https://medlineplus.gov/hivaids.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/symptoms-causes/syc-20373524

https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/whatishiv.html


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