AIDS is a very dangerous infection that can deteriorate ones general health within a very short time and it can as well lead to death. The infection was quite rare some time back; it is just recently that it gained popularity the world over as a very disastrous pandemic. Symptoms of HIV AIDS vary from one individual to the other. In addition, average progression duration will also vary from one individual to the other depending on the body’s immune susceptibility levels.
Before considering the signs or symptoms of this disease, it is good to know a few facts about this infection.
Basic information concerning HIV/AIDS
Research does indicate that the total amount of persons who suffer from this disease is higher in Africa than in any other continent around the world, but the condition is still found in regions all over the world.
The initials HIV refer to human immune-deficient virus and this is what eventually leads to AIDS (Acquired Immune deficiency Syndrome).
The HIV virus can also destroy CD4 cells which are found within a human’s body. These are the cells which are in charge of fighting away infections within the human’s body. Whenever the CD4 counts dwindles down to well below 200 then the individual is said to have developed AIDS.
This virus does affect ones immune system by weakening it to a point that all other opportunistic diseases can now take advantage of a weakened body system and even weaken your body further. These symptoms of HIV AIDS occur when one has unsafe sexual intercourse with a multitude of partners, blood transfusion with shared / contaminated apparatus & also transmission of certain bodily fluids such as semen or vaginal fluid during intercourse.
Also common is a transmission means whereby the mother infects her child during breastfeeding or child birth. Statistics show that AIDS can’t be transmitted through hand shaking, kissing, hugging or insect bites.
Symptoms of HIV/AIDS
The standard symptoms of this disease vary depending on infection stage. But they would show up only a few weeks from the time one does contract the illness. Moreover, in case the initial symptoms are disregarded & not treated well in time, then AIDS can result. But the standard time duration for progression of the infection may even be longer averaging at 8-10yrs.
Discussed here are various symptoms of AIDS in both men & women alike.
Early indicators of HIV infectivity
- Headache
- Fever
- Swollen lymphatic glands
- Nausea
- Sore throat
- Tiredness
Symptoms of the AIDS infection
- extreme weight loss
- night sweats
- regular yeast infections
- depression
- distorted vision
- dry cough
- prolonged fatigue & many others
If you ponder over these early indicators of HIV contagion, you shall see that they are just similar to those of common cold & flu. Most people seem to ignore them only to later realize that it was HIV when it has already become too late. But one has to remember that though no symptoms of HIV AIDS may be observed during the initial instance, this infection may still pass from one infected individual to another. It’s therefore significant for you to diagnose the condition as soon as it can be.
