AIDS is a chronic immune system disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
HIV damages the immune system and interferes with the body’s ability to fight infection and disease. HIV can be spread through contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. There’s no cure for HIV/AIDS, but medications can control the infection and prevent disease progression.
Some people with HIV develop flu-like symptoms 2 to 4 weeks after getting the virus. People taking HIV medications may not have other symptoms for years. As the virus multiplies and destroys immune cells, symptoms can develop such as fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Untreated, HIV typically turns into AIDS in about 8 to 10 years.
No cure exists for HIV/AIDS, but medications can control HIV and prevent disease progression. With treatment, most people with HIV in the U.S. don’t develop AIDS.
Requires a medical diagnosis
Some people with HIV develop flu-like symptoms 2 to 4 weeks after getting the virus. People taking HIV medications may not have other symptoms for years. As the virus multiplies and destroys immune cells, symptoms can develop such as fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Untreated, HIV typically turns into AIDS in about 8 to 10 years.
People may experience:
Pain areas: in the abdomen
Pain circumstances: can occur while swallowing
Cough: can be dry
Whole body: fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, malaise, night sweats, or sweating
Gastrointestinal: nausea, persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, or watery diarrhoea
Mouth: ulcers or white tongue
Groin: sores or swelling
Throat: difficulty swallowing or soreness
Also common: opportunistic infection, headache, oral thrush, pneumonia, red blotches, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, or wasting.
Treatment consists of HIV antivirals
No cure exists for HIV/AIDS, but medications can control HIV and prevent disease progression. With treatment, most people with HIV in the U.S. don’t develop AIDS.
