HIV Symptoms: Early Signs, Five Stages & Long-Term Effects

What are the first symptoms of HIV infection and how long do they take to start? From acute weight loss to mouth symptoms, understanding the five stages of HIV is vital for long-term health management.

Overview

The 10 Cities With the Highest HIV Rates

Their list includes cities that have a population of 50,000 or more, and the rates provided are out of every 100,000 people. Read on to learn whether you or someone you love is at a heightened risk for contracting HIV.

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blood test

How Long Does It Take for HIV to Show up on a Test?

The human immunodeficiency virus -- HIV -- causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS. You can be infected with HIV for many years and show few if any symptoms before the development of AIDS. However, people who are HIV-infected can transmit the virus to other people.

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HIV Diarrhea Symptoms

The human immunodeficiency virus--HIV--is a disease that causes progressive degradation of the immune system. As a result, patients with HIV are at a high risk of developing recurrent infections that can include gastrointestinal complications.

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Early Symptoms of HIV in Children

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infectious, contagious virus that can be passed from an infected mother to her newborn infant during childbirth. Over two million children under the age of 15 throughout the world are infected by HIV.

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Displeased young nanny and little child

Effects of HIV on Families

HIV is a blood-borne illness that is most commonly spread via high-risk sexual activities and use of illegal drugs. It can also be transmitted from a mother to child during the childbirth, and via blood products.

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Aids HIV

Five Stages of HIV & AIDS

HIV is an acronym for human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that the virus attacks the immune system, eventually leaving the body prone to multiple different types of infections.

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Aids awareness ribbon pinned on to jeans

Social Effects of HIV & AIDS

For the more than 1 million Americans living with HIV, the social effects of this diagnosis can be distressing and disruptive. Infection with HIV can lead to AIDS, if left untreated. Prior to the introduction of combination antiviral therapy in the mid-1990s, an HIV diagnosis was more intimidating and life-threatening.

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Sick man with thermometer in mouth sitting on bed

Early HIV Symptoms in Men

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1 million people are infected by the human immunodeficiency virus -- HIV -- in the United States. Early on, symptoms of this disease may mimic other illnesses, such as the flu.

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Grapefruit's Effect on Thyroid Medication

Grapefruit is a popular and wholesome breakfast food. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, grapefruit is the second leading citrus fruit consumed per capita in the United States. Grapefruits are rich in vitamin A, ascorbic acid, folic acid, potassium, fiber and flavonoids.

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HIV positive

Final Stages of AIDS

Finding out you have HIV doesn't mean a death sentence. However, if you are infected with HIV and don’t get treatment, HIV will eventually overwhelm your immune system. This will lead to your being diagnosed with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

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HIV virus

Characteristics of HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus, which is transmitted via unprotected sex and contaminated blood, weakens the immune system and eventually leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Because of the weakened immune system, the body is unable to fight off infection.

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Bathroom scales on tiled floor

Acute HIV & Weight Loss

Acute HIV refers to the 6-to-12-week period when HIV infection first occurs. It is during this time that HIV antibodies develop, creating the virus that attacks the immune system. Over time and without treatment, HIV can lead to AIDS.

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First Symptoms of HIV Infection

When a patient is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, there are some symptoms that can identify the infection early. The initial stage of HIV, according to National Health Services UK, is called primary infection.

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Mid section of young woman sitting on floor touching her injured knee

Early Symptoms of HIV-Related Neuropathy

HIV-related neuropathy is a chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy, causing damage to nerves in the brain or spinal column or to nerves elsewhere in the body. The term polyneuropathy means that several nerves are involved.

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Aids HIV Virus

HIV Skin Symptoms

A vast number of skin conditions are possible in someone with HIV/AIDS. From a painless red rash after initial HIV infection to dark purple blotches that signify life-threatening cancer related to AIDS, many different HIV-associated skin conditions are possible.

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I wash vegetables

Diet for HIV Positive People

Poor nutrition and weight loss increase the risk of illness and even death in HIV-infected people, according to an April 2003 article in "Clinical Infectious Diseases." Nutritional status may be compromised by complications of the disease, as well as the medications used to treat it.

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Blackboard with word HIV and stethoscope

Visible Signs of HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a chronic incurable disease spread through exposure to infected blood and/or body fluids through sexual contact, intravenous needle sharing, or during childbirth from mother to child. Symptoms may begin as early as two to three weeks following infection and resemble flu symptoms.

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Close-up of a young woman holding a tissue paper and looking away

Early Symptoms of HIV in Women

Early HIV infection causes symptoms in most women and men. However, these symptoms are often so mild that they are overlooked or attributed to another illness. Here's what you need to know about early HIV symptoms in women.

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HIV Positive

Top Ten Countries With HIV

While the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV infection in the world has fallen by about a third since 2000, HIV remains a significant health problem. According to the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, there were almost 37 million people around the world living with HIV/AIDS in 2014.

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