HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV attacks the immune system, destroying white blood cells that help the body fight infection and disease. The test is the only reliable way to determine whether you have HIV. The following are symptoms that may indicate that you have an infection.

Steps

Identifying Early Symptoms

Determine whether you are experiencing strong fatigue for no explainable reason. Fatigue can be a sign of many different illnesses. This symptom is also observed in HIV-infected people. Fatigue shouldn't be a big concern if it's your only symptom, but it's something to think about in the future.

• Severe fatigue is not a feeling when you just want to sleep. Do you feel tired all the time, even after getting a good night's sleep? Do you take more naps during the day than usual and avoid strenuous activities because you feel low on energy? This type of fatigue is a cause for concern.
• If this symptom persists for more than a few weeks or months, you should be tested to rule out HIV.

1. Pay attention to sores in the mouth and genitals. If mouth ulcers occur along with other previously described symptoms, and if you have not previously had such ulcers, then they may be a sign of the early stages of HIV. Genital sores are also a sign of HIV infection.

Determining Progressive Symptoms

Don't rule it out dry cough . A dry cough occurs in the later stages of HIV, sometimes many years after infection. Such a seemingly harmless symptom is easy to miss at first, especially if it occurs during the allergy or flu season or during the cold season. If you have a dry cough that you can't get rid of with antihistamines or an inhaler, it could be a sign of HIV.

Look for unusual spots (red, brown, pink or purple) on the skin. People in the later stages of HIV often develop a skin rash, especially on the face and torso. The rash may appear in the mouth or nose. This is a sign that HIV is turning into AIDS.

• Flaky, red skin is a sign of late stage HIV. The spots can be in the form of boils and bumps.
• A rash on the body is usually not accompanied by a cold or fever. Accordingly, if you alternately experience such symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.

1. Pay attention to pneumonia. Pneumonia often affects people with weakened immune systems. People with late-stage HIV are more likely to get pneumonia when exposed to germs that don't usually cause such a serious reaction.

   Get checked for thrush, especially in the mouth. The last stage of HIV usually causes thrush in the mouth - stomatitis. With stomatitis, white or other unusual spots appear on the tongue or mouth. These spots are a sign that the immune system cannot effectively fight the infection.

   Check your nails to see if they have fungus. Yellow or brown nails with cracks and chips are a common sign of late stage HIV. Nails become more susceptible to fungus, which the body is normally able to fight off.

   Determine if you are experiencing rapid weight loss for an unknown reason. In the early stages of HIV, this can be caused by severe diarrhea; in later stages, it can be caused by “atrophy,” a strong reaction of the body to the presence of HIV in the body.

   Pay attention to cases of memory loss, depression or other neurological problems. In the final stages of HIV, cognitive functions of the brain are impaired. Do not leave any neurological problems unattended, be sure to visit a doctor.

HIV infection develops in a person as a consequence of HIV infection. Symptoms of HIV and AIDS at different stages have specific symptoms, signs and manifestations. Early signs of HIV infection are nonspecific and resemble infectious mononucleosis. Then they pass, and asymptomatic carriage begins.

The initial stage is observed 6 months after HIV infection and lasts 0.5-1 month - HIV (AIDS) symptoms become obvious and indicate the possible presence of a retrovirus in the body. The absence of symptoms of HIV infection (AIDS) is explained by the fact that the immune system actively fights the virus and contributes to its death.

The conclusion is that in the classic version of the development of HIV, the first symptoms of the disease can easily be confused with a common cold. Read more about the first symptoms of HIV and AIDS.

The first symptoms of HIV: how to determine infection with the virus

The human immunodeficiency virus belongs to the group of retroviruses and provokes the development of HIV infection. This disease can occur in several stages, each of which differs in clinical picture and intensity of manifestations.

Stages of HIV

Stages of development of HIV infection:

• incubation period;
• primary manifestations are acute infection, asymptomatic and generalized lymphadenopathy;
• secondary manifestations - persistent damage to internal organs, damage to the skin and mucous membranes, generalized diseases;
• terminal stage.

According to statistics, HIV infection is most often diagnosed at the stage of secondary manifestations and this is due to the fact that the symptoms of HIV become pronounced and begin to bother the patient during this period of the disease.

At the first stage of development of HIV infection, certain symptoms may also be present, but they, as a rule, are mild, the clinical picture is blurred, and the patients themselves do not turn to doctors for such “little things.” But there is one more nuance - even if a patient seeks qualified medical help at the first stage of HIV infection, specialists may not diagnose the pathology. Moreover, at this stage of development of the disease in question, the symptoms will be the same in men and women - this often confuses doctors. And only at the secondary stage is it quite possible to hear the diagnosis of HIV infection, and the symptoms will be individual for males and females.

How long does it take for HIV to appear?

The first signs of HIV infection go unnoticed, but they are there. And they appear on average from 3 weeks to 3 months after infection. A longer period is also possible.

Signs of secondary manifestations of the disease in question may also appear only many years after contracting HIV infection, but manifestations may also occur as early as 4-6 months from the moment of infection.

Incubation period

After a person becomes infected with HIV, no symptoms or even small hints of the development of any pathology are observed for a long time. It is precisely this period that is called incubation; it can last, in accordance with the classification of V.I. Pokrovsky, from 3 weeks to 3 months.

No examinations or laboratory tests of biomaterials (serological, immunological, hematological tests) will help identify HIV infection, and the infected person himself does not look sick at all. But it is the incubation period, without any manifestations, that poses a particular danger - a person serves as a source of infection.

Some time after infection, the patient enters an acute phase of the disease - the clinical picture during this period may become a reason for diagnosing HIV infection as “questionable.”

Acute infection

The first manifestations of HIV infection in the acute phase of its course strongly resemble the symptoms of mononucleosis. They appear on average from 3 weeks to 3 months from the moment of infection. These include:

• inflammation of the tonsils - patients complain of frequently recurring sore throats;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes - more often this process affects the cervical lymph nodes, but the examination does not reveal any obvious pathology;
• increase in body temperature to subfebrile levels - the cause of such hyperthermia cannot be established, but the indicators do not normalize even after taking medications with an antipyretic effect;
• profuse sweating, general weakness and insomnia at night - these symptoms are often “written off” as chronic fatigue;
• headaches, loss of appetite, apathy towards others.

When examining a patient, a doctor can determine a slight increase in the size of the spleen and liver - the patient, by the way, may also complain of periodic pain in the right hypochondrium. The patient's skin may be covered with a small rash - pale pink spots that do not have clear boundaries. There are often complaints from infected people about long-term bowel dysfunction - they are tormented by diarrhea, which is not relieved even by specific medications and changes in diet.

Please note: during this course of the acute phase of HIV infection, increased numbers of lymphocytes/leukocytes and atypical mononuclear cells will be detected in the blood.

The above-described signs of the acute phase of the disease in question can be observed in 30% of patients. Another 30-40% of patients experience an acute phase in the development of serous meningitis or encephalitis - the symptoms will be radically different from those already described: nausea, vomiting, increased body temperature to critical levels, severe headache.

Often the first symptom of HIV infection is esophagitis - an inflammatory process in the esophagus, which is characterized by difficulty swallowing and pain in the chest area.

Whatever the form of the acute phase of HIV infection, after 30-60 days all symptoms disappear - often the patient thinks that he has been completely cured, especially if this period of pathology was practically asymptomatic or their intensity was low (and this can also be ).

Asymptomatic stage

During this stage of the disease in question, there are no symptoms - the patient feels excellent and does not consider it necessary to appear at a medical institution for a preventive examination. But it is at the asymptomatic stage that antibodies to HIV can be detected in the blood! This makes it possible to diagnose pathology at one of the early stages of development and begin adequate, effective treatment.

The asymptomatic stage of HIV infection can last several years, but only if the patient’s immune system has not been significantly damaged. The statistics are quite contradictory - only 30% of patients within 5 years after the asymptomatic course of HIV infection begin to develop symptoms of the following stages, but in some infected people the asymptomatic stage progresses rapidly, lasting no more than 30 days.

Generalized lymphadenopathy

This stage is characterized by an increase in almost all groups of lymph nodes; this process does not affect only the inguinal lymph nodes. It is noteworthy that it is generalized lymphadenopathy that can become the main symptom of HIV infection if all previous stages of development of the disease in question occurred without any manifestations.

Lymphozules increase by 1-5 cm, remain mobile and painless, and the surface of the skin above them has absolutely no signs of a pathological process. But with such a pronounced symptom as enlarged groups of lymph nodes, the standard causes of this phenomenon are excluded. And here, too, lies danger - some doctors classify lymphadenopathy as difficult to explain.

The stage of generalized lymphadenopathy lasts 3 months, about 2 months after the start of the stage the patient begins to lose weight.

Secondary manifestations

It often happens that it is the secondary manifestations of HIV infection that serve as the basis for high-quality diagnosis. Secondary manifestations include:

Pneumocystis pneumonia

The patient notices a sudden increase in body temperature, he develops a dry, obsessive cough, which eventually turns into a wet one. The patient develops intense shortness of breath with minimal physical activity, and the patient's general condition rapidly deteriorates. Therapy carried out using antibacterial drugs (antibiotics) does not produce a positive effect.

Generalized infection

These include herpes, tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus infection, and candidiasis. Most often, these infections affect women and, against the background of the human immunodeficiency virus, they are extremely severe.

Kaposi's sarcoma

This is a neoplasm/tumor that develops from lymphatic vessels. More often diagnosed in men, it has the appearance of multiple tumors of a characteristic cherry color located on the head, torso and in the oral cavity.

Damage to the central nervous system

At first, this manifests itself only as minor problems with memory and decreased concentration. But as the pathology progresses, the patient develops dementia.

Features of the first signs of HIV infection in women

If a woman is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, then secondary symptoms will most likely manifest themselves in the form of development and progression of generalized infections - herpes, candidiasis, cytomegalovirus infection, tuberculosis.

Often, secondary manifestations of HIV infection begin with a banal menstrual cycle disorder; inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs, for example, salpingitis, can develop. Oncological diseases of the cervix - carcinoma or dysplasia - are also often diagnosed.

Features of HIV infection in children

Children who were infected with the human immunodeficiency virus during pregnancy (in utero from the mother) have some features in the course of the disease. Firstly, the disease begins its development at 4-6 months of life. Secondly, the earliest and main symptom of HIV infection during intrauterine infection is considered to be a disorder of the central nervous system - the baby lags behind his peers in physical and mental development. Thirdly, children with the human immunodeficiency virus are susceptible to the progression of digestive system disorders and the appearance of purulent diseases.

The human immunodeficiency virus is still an unexplored disease - too many questions arise both during diagnosis and treatment. But doctors say that only patients themselves can detect HIV infection at an early stage - they are the ones who must closely monitor their health and periodically undergo preventive examinations. Even if the symptoms of HIV infection are hidden, the disease develops - only a timely test analysis will help save the patient’s life for several years.

Answers to popular questions about HIV

Due to the large number of requests from our readers, we decided to group the most common questions and answers to them in one section.

When do the first symptoms of HIV infection appear? »

Signs of HIV infection appear approximately 3 weeks to 3 months after dangerous contact. An increase in temperature, sore throat and enlarged lymph nodes in the first days after infection may indicate any pathology other than the human immunodeficiency virus. During this period (doctors call it incubation), not only are there no symptoms of HIV, but in-depth laboratory blood tests will not give a positive result.

Can HIV be asymptomatic? »

Yes, unfortunately, this is rare, but it does happen (in about 30% of cases): a person does not notice any characteristic symptoms during the acute phase, and then the disease goes into the latent phase (this is, in fact, an asymptomatic course for about 8 - 10 years ).

Will the result of a test taken immediately after a possible infection be reliable? »

Most modern screening tests are based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) - this is the “gold standard” of diagnosis, and an accurate result can be counted on no earlier than 3 to 6 months after infection. Therefore, the test must be taken twice: 3 months after possible infection and then another 3 months later.

If your body temperature rises and your lymph nodes become enlarged, is it HIV? »

It is impossible to answer this question categorically. Firstly, you need to take into account the period that has passed since the potentially dangerous contact - if less than 3 weeks have passed, then these symptoms may indicate a common cold.

Secondly, if more than 3 weeks have already passed since the possible infection, then you should not stress yourself out - just wait and 3 months after the dangerous contact undergo a specific examination.

Thirdly, increased body temperature and enlarged lymph nodes are not “classic” signs of HIV infection! Often the first manifestations of the disease are expressed by pain in the chest and a burning sensation in the esophagus, stool disturbances (the person is bothered by frequent diarrhea), and a pale pink rash on the skin.

Can you get infected through oral sex? »

The risk of contracting HIV infection through oral sex is minimized. The fact is that the virus does not survive in the environment, so in order to be infected orally, two conditions must come together: there are wounds/abrasions on the partner’s penis and wounds/abrasions in the partner’s mouth. But even these circumstances do not in every case lead to HIV infection. For your own peace of mind, you need to take a specific HIV test 3 months after dangerous contact and undergo a “control” examination after another 3 months.

What to do if you had unprotected sexual intercourse? »

There are a number of medications that are used for post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Unfortunately, they are not available for sale, so you will have to go to an appointment with a therapist and explain the situation. There is no guarantee that such measures will 100% prevent the development of HIV infection, but experts say that taking such medications is quite advisable - the risk of developing the human immunodeficiency virus is reduced by 70-75%.

If there is no opportunity (or courage) to consult a doctor with a similar problem, then there is only one thing left to do - wait. You will need to wait 3 months, then undergo an HIV test, and even if the result is negative, you should take a control test after another 3 months.

Is it possible to become infected with HIV through everyday contact? »

No you can not! The human immunodeficiency virus does not survive in the environment, therefore, with people who are classified as HIV-positive, you can without hesitation share dishes, bed linen, and visit the pool and sauna.

If I sleep with someone who is HIV positive, will I definitely get infected? »

There are risks of infection, but they are quite small. So, with a single vaginal sexual intercourse without a condom, the risk is 0.01 - 0.15%. With oral sex, the risks range from 0.005 to 0.01%, with anal sex - from 0.065 to 0.5%. These statistics are provided in clinical protocols for the WHO European Region for HIV/AIDS treatment and care.

Cases have been described in medicine where married couples, where one of the spouses was HIV-infected, lived sexually without using condoms for several years, and the second spouse remained healthy.

Is it possible to become infected with HIV through mutual masturbation? »

The risks are practically zero (if there are no open wounds on the hands and genitals of the partners).

Can you get infected through contact with dried blood or semen? »

When biological fluids dry, the immunodeficiency virus contained in them dies.

Can you get HIV through protected sex? »

If a condom was used during sexual intercourse, it was used according to instructions and remained intact, then the risk of becoming infected with HIV is minimized. If, 3 or more months after the questionable contact, symptoms reminiscent of HIV infection appear, then you just need to consult a therapist. An increase in temperature and enlarged lymph nodes may indicate the development of acute respiratory viral infections and other diseases. For your own peace of mind, you should get tested for HIV.

If my HIV test result is negative, am I not sick? »

To answer this question, you need to know at what time and how many times such an analysis was taken:

• a negative result in the first 3 months after dangerous contact cannot be accurate; doctors talk about a false negative result;
• a negative HIV test response after 3 months from the moment of dangerous contact - most likely the person being examined is not infected, but another test must be done 3 months after the first for control;
• negative HIV test response 6 months or more after dangerous contact - the subject is not infected.

Can I get infected if I step on a needle on the street and get hurt? »

The risks in this case are extremely small - the virus quickly dies in the environment, therefore, even if the blood of an infected person remains on the needle, it is almost impossible to become infected with HIV by being injured by such a needle. There cannot be a virus in dried biological fluid (blood). However, after 3 months, and then again - after another 3 months - it is still worth taking an HIV test.

Tsygankova Yana Aleksandrovna, medical observer, therapist of the highest qualification category.

Materials used: http://okeydoc.ru/pervye-simptomy-vich/ Save on social networks:

HIV is one of the most dangerous infections that can be found in humans. The seriousness of the disease is due to the fact that a cure for this scourge has not yet been invented, and signs that a person is infected may practically not appear.

Often, the infection is diagnosed at a late stage, since with HIV, symptoms may not be detected even with a blood test if the infection occurred very recently.

It is advisable for every person to know what symptoms occur during HIV infection, since infection can occur not only due to a lack of caution when changing sexual partners, but also in other ways.

Symptoms of HIV infection

There are four stages of the disease, depending on which the symptoms of HIV differ. The following stages are distinguished:

1. Incubation period.
2. Primary manifestations.
3. Secondary manifestations.
4. Terminal stage.

When infected with HIV, the symptoms in men and women are similar, the features of each stage are described in the table:

Incubation period	At this stage, the clinical picture is blurred, there are no special symptoms and patients prefer not to see doctors due to a slight malaise.
	Signs of infection in women and men are the same, which confuses doctors when making a diagnosis
Primary manifestations	At this stage, the infection is acute and symptoms are minimal.
Secondary stage	Internal organs, mucous membranes and skin are damaged
	Diseases of a generalized type are diagnosed
Terminal stage	At this stage, the signs of infection are pronounced, and it is no longer possible to maintain a person’s life in a normal state.

Most often, a visit to a doctor occurs when the disease moves to the secondary stage, since the symptoms in this case are already well felt and bring pain and discomfort. All symptoms of HIV infection are divided into primary and secondary. The main ones include the following:

• persistent diarrhea that lasts more than a month. In some cases, it may sometimes be replaced by normal stool;
• elevated body temperature throughout the month, sometimes minor changes are observed, more often up to 38 degrees;
• constant fatigue, feeling of weakness, drowsiness;
• sudden weight loss and reduction in body weight by 10% or more, depending on the initial weight.

Secondary symptoms occur in later stages and are especially noticeable in people with weakened immune systems. These include:

• various skin diseases, manifested in the form of ulcers throughout the body or in certain areas;
• exacerbation of herpes, manifested in the form of shingles;
• stomatitis and other diseases of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity;
• cough that continues for more than a month without improvement, despite taking medications and antibiotics;
• significant enlargement of lymph nodes, which interferes with normal life.

Individually, these signs cannot be considered a symptom of HIV infection; they can also appear due to reduced immunity or other diseases. You should be wary if a person has several of the main symptoms and at least one of the minor ones.

In any case, if such ailments appear, it is recommended to consult a doctor, as this may be a manifestation of another serious disease. People prefer to pretend that there is no problem, especially when it comes to such a serious disease, this is the main mistake of all those infected.

Signs of early infection

The first signs of HIV infection are often ignored, but with careful attention to your body, they can be easily noticed. They appear at least 3 weeks after infection, but may not occur until 3 months or more later. The incubation period lasts all this time, so no tests or analyzes will show the presence of the disease in a person. At the same time, he will be contagious and can transmit the infection to his partner without even knowing it.

The first symptoms of HIV in women do not differ from those in men, although in the later stages the differences between them are obvious. If the infected girl, they are expressed as follows:

1. Increased body temperature, accompanied by severe headache. As a rule, its decrease does not occur even after taking antipyretic drugs.
2. A sharp and severe pain in the throat, reminiscent of a sore throat.
3. A rash in the form of spots all over the body, which is clearly visible to others.
4. The appearance of ulcers on the mucous membranes of the mouth.
5. Digestive disorder accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.
6. Enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits, neck and groin.
7. The appearance of pain in joints and muscles.

How long to expect the first signs of infection to appear depends on the person’s immunity. In some cases, two weeks are enough to suspect manifestations of the disease; in other cases, a person may find out that he is sick only in the second year after infection.

Symptoms of HIV in men in the early stages are as difficult to identify as in women. In some cases, signs of the disease appear several years later; if the person has not been tested, he may find out about it already at an advanced stage. This happens in cases where the immune system is strong and actively fights infection.

Symptoms several years after infection

Symptoms of HIV infection in subsequent stages vary greatly, depending on the gender of the patient. They can appear either after a year or two, or after 4 years. Immunodeficiency is more pronounced in women, this is due to the characteristics of the body. The disease manifests itself in the fair half of humanity in the form of the following symptoms:

1. Vomiting and severe weight loss, up to the appearance of anorexia in the later stages.
2. Constant fatigue, drowsiness, feeling of heaviness.
3. The presence of symptoms that may be similar to dementia.
4. Constant depression and reluctance to communicate with others and even loved ones.
5. Attacks of nausea and frequent diarrhea.
6. The appearance of various skin diseases, but the cause cannot be immediately identified.
7. The appearance of fever, at night the woman wakes up in cold sweat.
8. The presence of shortness of breath even in the absence of physical activity.
9. Constant forgetfulness and various types of pain.
10. Changes in the concentration of fat deposits in the body.
11. Lack of sexual interest in a partner.
12. Insomnia for which there is no help.
13. The appearance of a cough and serious changes in the oral cavity.

When diagnosing HIV infection, symptoms in women are more pronounced, but cases of infection occur approximately 1.5 times more often than in men. This is due to the fact that men are usually less selective in sexual relations. People who have sex with people of the same sex, such as gay and bisexual men, are at particular risk of infection.

In this case, infection can be prevented only by carefully choosing a partner and using a condom, which does not provide a 100% guarantee, but significantly reduces the likelihood of getting sick.

Maintaining a normal quality of life in men with HIV infection is complicated by the fact that representatives of the stronger sex tend to deny the problem. When the first symptoms appear, a person writes them off as a cold or flu, comes up with new excuses for further manifestations, and consults a doctor at a time when time has already passed.

Ignoring the signs of illness and neglecting to see a doctor causes serious damage to health, which can be avoided by taking medications on time. Symptoms of HIV infection in men are as follows:

1. Fever and sweating during sleep, even if it is not summer outside.
2. Enlarged lymph nodes, most often in the groin and neck area.
3. Sore throat, cough, changes in mucous membranes.
4. Pain in muscles and joints.
5. The appearance of nausea, turning into vomiting.
6. Extreme fatigue and drowsiness.
7. Skin rash.

It is necessary to consult a doctor at the first signs that the virus is present, as this can significantly alleviate the person’s condition and provide him with a normal lifestyle. Thanks to modern medications, people with this diagnosis can live a full life, have a family and even children, provided they regularly take medications prescribed by a doctor.

Symptoms of HIV in the photo

HIV infection can be suspected even if there is a photograph of a person. In the later stages, the manifestations of the disease are visible to others, including when viewing photos. In many patients, the disease can be suspected by damage to the skin and mucous membranes, which cannot be eliminated by conventional means.

There are several diseases that are especially common in infected people and have a severe course:

1. Kaposi's sarcoma. This disease is the most characteristic dermatological manifestation of HIV infection. Pale pink spots located throughout the body gradually become purple and brown. In infected people, spots most often appear on the head and along the ribs. HIV infection should be excluded if it is impossible to cope with the disease after prolonged treatment.
2. Candidiasis. It can affect any mucous membrane and often accompanies people with the disease in question. Most often the pharynx and oral cavity are affected.
3. Shingles. A herpetic disease, which often worsens with decreased immunity. Most HIV-infected people have a severe form that is difficult to treat.
4. Seborrheic dermatitis. The disease occurs in severe forms of the disease and often recurs.

HIV infection is a serious disease, which is complicated by the difficulty of diagnosis. Paying close attention to your body will allow you to promptly suspect problems and consult a doctor. Properly selected treatment and regular use of medications can bring a person’s life closer to normal and increase its duration several times, compared to patients who neglect treatment.

HIV symptoms are clinical manifestations that occur during the development of HIV infection. The immunodeficiency virus is very insidious, as it may not manifest itself for a long time. During the asymptomatic period, the number of viral particles in the body and, consequently, the affected cells of the immune system progressively increases. The disease progresses unnoticed, and individual symptoms are perceived by patients as manifestations of different diseases.

When do the first signs appear?

When infected, as well as during the intensive development of the infection, a person has no obvious signs. Once a pathogen enters the bloodstream, the immune system tries to protect the body. In the period from the first three weeks to three months, signs of nonspecific symptoms may appear: chills, fever, cough, swollen lymph nodes. Rarely, these symptoms are accompanied by a skin rash. Such manifestations are very similar to a respiratory disease or allergy, so those infected often do not attach importance to these symptoms.

Often the virus does not manifest itself at all for many years. On average, the first signs appear in the range from 3 months to 5 years after infection. And antibodies to the pathogen are detected 6-12 months after infection. Therefore, the main way to detect the presence of the virus is testing, which can be done free of charge.

Main symptoms

Typical signs of HIV infection are a set of symptoms of secondary diseases, that is, those diseases that a weakened immune system is not able to fight. Classic manifestations include symptoms of fungal infection of the mucous membranes, aphthous stomatitis, polylymphoadenopathy, various manifestations of herpes virus infection, Pneumocystis pneumonia, infiltrative tuberculosis, digestive disorders, rashes, central nervous system damage and others. Along with them, symptoms of infection appear that resemble a respiratory disease. The main sign by which HIV can be suspected is generalized lymphadenopathy and pancytopenia.

You should be alert to the appearance of episodes of fever, diarrhea, and damage to the mucous membranes. The further the infection progresses, the greater the range of symptoms there may be.

Signs at different stages

The infection develops in stages. As the number of viral particles increases, more and more cells of the immune system are involved in the process, an adequate immune response is blocked, and inflammatory, autoimmune and oncological changes develop. The use of antiretroviral therapy slows down the progression of the disease, prolonging the life of patients. The HIV clinic at different stages has its own characteristics. Symptoms are varied and gradually increase with a decrease in the number of active immune cells.

Incubation period

According to the classification of V.V. Pokrovsky, the first stage of infection is called incubation. This is the period of time from the pathogen entering the body until the appearance of antibodies in the blood or primary symptoms. On average, this stage lasts 3-12 weeks. As a rule, there are no obvious symptoms. The person looks healthy and feels good. In rare cases, symptoms of ARVI are possible. Tests for HIV infection during this period are negative, so you need to repeat the examination after 3 and 6 months. Once antibodies appear, symptoms may also not be observed for many years. When antibodies are already present in the blood, and there are no manifestations of infection, the next stage begins - latent.

Asymptomatic period

This is the longest phase of the disease; a person can be a carrier of the pathogen for 5-15 years. If the patient leads a healthy lifestyle, the asymptomatic period may last even longer. In patients with bad habits and a low standard of living, the latent course quickly passes into the acute phase.

Also, the duration of incubation and asymptomatic course depends on:

• patient's age;
• infectious dose;
• immune status of the patient;
• routes of infection.

For example, with a blood transfusion, incubation and the asymptomatic period pass faster than with sexually transmitted infection. The virus continues to multiply during the latent phase, but the immune system is still able to suppress infections. The virus does not manifest itself clinically and can only be determined through laboratory testing.

Primary symptoms

The third stage is divided into three distinct phases: acute, asymptomatic and generalized lymphadenopathy. In the first phase, obvious signs of the disease appear. Most often, it is during this period that the patient may suspect an infection and undergo testing.

Phases of primary symptoms:

1. Acute phase. After the latent period, a sharp release of viruses into the bloodstream occurs. The spread of the pathogen throughout the body causes a number of symptoms. During this period, several bacterial and fungal diseases usually appear at once. The main signs of which are: fever, muscle and joint pain, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, rash. The most specific and frequent manifestations during this period are thrush in the mouth, weight loss, and weakness.
   The acute phase in some patients occurs in a mild form, while in others a severe course develops. In case of a complicated form, patients are hospitalized. However, even without therapy, this phase passes within 2-4 weeks. After this, the asymptomatic period begins again.
2. Asymptomatic phase. After a sharp attack on the immune system, a balance occurs between viral agents and the body’s defenses. Multiple replication of the virus is contained. At this time, the pathogen is still multiplying, and the number of T-helper cells is falling, but at a very slow pace. This stage can last from 1 month to 10 years, depending on many factors. The patient feels well at this time, there are no external signs of the disease. But it can transmit the pathogen sexually, through blood, or from woman to child during pregnancy.

The use of antiretroviral therapy during the asymptomatic stage prolongs the latent course for many decades. At the same time, the patient lives a full life, subject to the rules of a healthy lifestyle and treatment. In addition, the use of ART makes transmission of infection more difficult.

Secondary signs

Based on secondary manifestations of infection, doctors may suspect HIV. However, even these manifestations can initially be considered as an independent disease.

Testing for the immunodeficiency virus is mandatory for the following secondary symptoms:

1. Pneumonia. The patient develops a dry, prolonged cough and low-grade fever (the temperature rise is no higher than 38°C for a long time). Over time, the cough turns into a wet one, you feel a general malaise, weakness, and sweating. The use of classical antibiotics does not give a positive result.
2. Generalized infections are a combination of bacterial, fungal and viral diseases. Most often, these include: tuberculosis, oral, genital and visceral candidiasis, cytomegalovirus and EBV infections, common and herpes zoster, viral gastroenteritis. Against the background of immunodeficiency, these diseases are especially difficult.
3. Kaposi's sarcoma is a neoplasm in the lymphatic system. It looks like a single tumor or a cluster of formations, and is most often localized on the torso, neck, mouth and head. Sometimes sarcoma has a cherry tint to the skin, but it can also be without any color change.
4. Intoxication syndrome. About half of the patients experience the following symptoms: nausea, muscle and joint pain, diarrhea, night sweats, severe weakness, headache, and increased irritability.

In addition to these symptoms, the patient sometimes experiences worsening chronic diseases. Secondary diseases and symptoms can occur one after another or together. The moment of onset and duration depend on the adequacy of therapy, the age of the patient, bad habits and other factors. On average, each symptom lasts 1-2 weeks. Cough and diarrhea may not go away for 1-2 months.

Generalized lymphadenopathy

Generalized lymphadenopathy – enlargement of all groups of lymph nodes. This symptom appears most often during the stage of acute infection. It can be combined with other signs, or it can be independent. Lymph nodes enlarge in various diseases, so a patient who does not know his HIV status often does not attach importance to this.

A distinctive feature of generalized lymphadenopathy is its long course. The symptom lasts 1-3 months, pain does not always occur. More often, the lymph nodes increase to a diameter of 1.5-2 cm. They are localized one or more on the neck, behind the ears, in the armpits and subclavian cavities, and in the groin. The formations are mobile, soft, sometimes they decrease, sometimes they increase.

Together with lymphadenopathy, the patient may experience:

• seborrhea;
• leukoplakia of the tongue;
• herpes simplex on mucous membranes and skin;
• polymorphic rashes;
• thrush of the oral cavity and genitals.

Symptomatic treatment during this period gives good results. Secondary diseases are treatable. With proper treatment, the patient feels satisfactory, can work, play sports, and have protected sex. The duration of this phase ranges from six months to 5 years. Although, depending on the patient’s lifestyle and the availability of treatment, this period can be either shortened or extended.

Manifestations of CNS damage

Damage to the nervous system, mainly the brain, is one of the main problems of HIV. CNS disorders are observed in 50-80% of patients, in 10% of them the symptoms are pronounced. There are several ways in which the peripheral and central nervous system can be affected by HIV infection. The first is the penetration of infected lymphocytes into the central nervous system, the second is the effect of secondary infections. Also in some cases, the development of brain tumors is possible.

The first signs of damage to the nervous system:

• headache;
• sleep disturbance (insomnia or drowsiness);
• tremor of the limbs;
• difficulty concentrating;
• memory impairment;
• behavioral changes.

As the disease progresses, signs of central nervous system damage become more obvious. A person experiences a change in behavior, fever, and convulsions. When the brain is damaged, vision deterioration and even blindness are also observed. At the final stages of disease progression, the patient may experience paralysis or paresis. Mental disorders extend to personality changes and dementia.

Some associated CNS diseases are treatable. However, the presence of such diseases complicates therapy in general and accelerates the onset of the terminal stage.

What does an HIV-infected person look like?

For a very long period after infection, a person is no different from HIV-negative people. It is impossible to distinguish carriers of the virus before the first signs appear. But even with the onset of primary manifestations, it is impossible to say for sure that a person has HIV. For example, enlarged lymph nodes occur in dozens of other diseases. A rash on the body in the form of psoriasis, lichen, herpes, etc. can be an independent infection.

In later stages, patients often experience:

• fungal infections;
• weight loss;
• weakness;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• shortness of breath and/or cough;
• disturbance of mental processes: forgetfulness, confusion, disturbances in coordination;
• herpetic rash.

Based on external signs, the doctor may suspect the presence of an infection. But a diagnosis cannot be made based on external signs alone. It is also impossible to accurately identify an infected person from a crowd, since all manifestations may relate to other diseases. In many cases, an HIV-positive person does not have any special characteristics.

Symptoms in women

Both men and women go through all stages characteristic of the development of HIV. The first sign is an unexplained increase in temperature up to 40 degrees. Weakness, muscle pain and lack of appetite may also be present, but not necessarily. After which a latent course occurs without symptoms. The asymptomatic period is followed by the third stage.

In the acute phase, women are more likely to experience fungal and bacterial infections, especially thrush. Against the background of infection, genital candidiasis and candidal stomatitis are especially difficult.

At the onset of the disease the following features are characteristic:

• lower abdominal pain;
• white vaginal discharge with a characteristic odor;
• decreased libido;
• lack of appetite;
• itching in the genital area;
• disruption of the menstrual cycle;
• white plaque in the mouth.

Also, girls with HIV-positive status are more likely to develop herpetic rashes on the face and mucous membranes. The disease is recurrent in nature, can be generalized and widespread, and is characterized by bacterial vaginitis.

Psycho-emotional disorders are also slightly more common in girls and women at different ages than in men. Mood changes, depression, prolonged anxiety, and sleep disturbances are possible. Over time, mental disorders lead to dementia, paralysis, and coma.

Pregnant women who are HIV positive do not experience any additional discomfort. Like girls without HIV, patients face the classic difficulties of pregnancy. The only exceptions are breastfeeding mothers; HIV-positive women should not breastfeed their baby. Apart from the symptoms characteristic of infection, young mothers do not experience any additional symptoms.

Features of infection in men

Men have the same stages of the disease as women. The first symptoms and secondary diseases are identical for both sexes and children. In men, hepatolienal syndrome and prolonged diarrhea are more often observed. Lymphadenopathy occurs in a more pronounced form: the nodes greatly increase in size and often acquire a reddish tint. Herpetic rashes are most often observed in the anus and on the face.

CNS lesions are somewhat less common. Men, just like women, lose weight, feel weak, and experience bacterial infections. The development and manifestations of the disease are almost the same in both sexes.

Children with HIV

Babies can become infected during pregnancy and childbirth. Infection is also possible through breastfeeding or blood transfusion. The probability of transmission of the virus from an HIV-infected mother to a newborn is 30%. Of these, 11% are infected in utero, 15% during natural childbirth, and 10% during breastfeeding.

HIV-positive babies are usually born prematurely. The infection most often appears in the first year of life. Symptoms include: delay in physical development, prolonged diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, vomiting and nausea. Manifestations include skin rashes: pustules, vesicles, spots, atopic or seborrheic dermatitis, vasculitis, eczema.

If left untreated, HIV infection in children quickly progresses to AIDS. Life expectancy is 1-3 years. In the final stages, exhaustion syndrome, pneumonia, heart failure, and central nervous system damage are observed. Therapy for children is prescribed from the first 4-6 months of life. The treatment regimen, as for adults, changes periodically to avoid the development of viral resistance. Manifestations of HIV in adolescents are the same as in adults, with the exception of rarer cases of cancer.

How to determine the immunodeficiency virus at home

Based on general symptoms, one can suspect a malfunction in the body. The presence of the virus in the blood can only be determined with certainty only through laboratory testing. There are two ways to determine infection: detecting antibodies to the pathogen and RNA of the virus. This can be done using tests. Recently, tests for use at home have become widespread. For independent research, a scraping is taken from the oral mucosa using a spatula, which is then placed in the reagent.

Izvozchikova Nina Vladislavovna

Speciality: infectious disease specialist, gastroenterologist, pulmonologist.

Total experience: 35 years .

Education:1975-1982, 1MMI, san-gig, highest qualification, infectious disease doctor.

Science degree: doctor of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences.

Depending on how the patient’s HIV infection (AIDS) progresses, drug treatment consisting of a whole range of medications is prescribed. The action of these funds is aimed at slowing down the spread of the virus and reducing the intensity of the development of pathology.

This complex treatment consists of antiviral and antibacterial medications, as well as mandatory vitamin therapy. If the number of CD4 cells drops to 350 units, antiretroviral therapy is prescribed, regardless of the stage of the disease.

The stage of HIV is directly proportional to the number of immune cells that are able to perform their function of protecting the body from foreign protein entering the circulatory system. The clinical course of HIV infection depends on the activity of opportunistic bacteria, which cause secondary diseases against the background of acquired immunodeficiency.

The natural course of HIV infection is monitored by doctors by recording the rate of progression of certain ailments that arise secondarily. With the help of a large number of studies, it was found out how the pathology develops, what changes the body undergoes during the constant fight against the human immunodeficiency virus.

Clinical course of HIV infection

In most cases, the disease develops predictably, therefore, based on the natural changes that the pathogen causes, the process is divided into several stages. This helps to provide assistance to sick people and predict their future fate.

Duration of HIV disease (AIDS) and characteristic changes for each period:

How many years have people been suffering from HIV (AIDS)?

A feature of the pathology is that the retrovirus cannot be killed inside the body. After about 10 years, HIV causes a large number of secondary infections, which greatly aggravate the patient’s condition. They often lead to death within a short period of time.

How many years does HIV last? In each case, infection will lead to illness. The last stage of the disease ends with the quick and painful death of the patient, even with the appointment of all kinds of complex treatment. Such changes occur due to the fact that the body is not able to interact with drugs and most of the receptors on which drugs act no longer correspond to their anatomical structure. A very variable amount of time can pass before the transition to the AIDS stage. This period depends on the patient’s lifestyle, the strength of his body, the timeliness of medical care and treatment.

There are many examples of survivors with HIV (22 years or more). In such cases, infection occurred through accidental means (blood transfusion, rape, contact with the patient’s blood). At the same time, the human body is not weakened by the effects of drugs or alcohol, which significantly increases the chances of destroying the virus upon initial contact with the pathogen. Subsequently, the patient receives specific treatment for three months, which affects the reproduction processes and viability of HIV cells. Thanks to this algorithm, the retrovirus can take a position of stable remission for a long time. In such cases, infected girls can give birth to a healthy baby, although breastfeeding is strictly contraindicated. This is due to the fact that even in stable remission, the human immunodeficiency virus penetrates into breast milk and is capable of infecting the baby with an incurable disease.