HIV/AIDS Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! == Signs and symptoms == {{Main|Signs and symptoms of HIV/AIDS}} There are three main stages of [[Human immunodeficiency virus|HIV]] infection: acute infection, clinical latency, and AIDS.<ref name=AIDS2010GOV>{{cite web |title=What Are HIV and AIDS? |url=https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids |website=HIV.gov |access-date=September 10, 2017 |date=May 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922044900/https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids |archive-date=September 22, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=M121>Mandell, Bennett, and Dolan (2010). Chapter 121.</ref> === Acute infection === [[File:Symptoms of acute HIV infection.svg|thumb|upright=1.25|alt=A diagram of a human torso labeled with the most common symptoms of an acute HIV infection|Main symptoms of acute HIV infection]] The initial period following infection with HIV is called acute HIV, primary HIV or acute retroviral syndrome.<ref name=M121/><ref name=WHOCase2007/> Many individuals develop an [[Influenza-like illness|illness-like influenza]], [[Infectious mononucleosis|mononucleosis or glandular fever]] 2–4 weeks after exposure while others have no significant symptoms.<ref>{{cite book |title=Diseases and disorders |year=2008 |publisher=Marshall Cavendish |location=Tarrytown, NY |isbn=978-0-7614-7771-6 |page=25 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-HRJOElZch8C&pg=PA25 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919012701/https://books.google.com/books?id=-HRJOElZch8C&pg=PA25 |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=M118/> Symptoms occur in 40–90% of cases and most commonly include [[fever]], [[lymphadenopathy|large tender lymph nodes]], [[pharyngitis|throat inflammation]], a [[rash]], headache, tiredness, and/or sores of the mouth and genitals.<ref name=WHOCase2007/><ref name=M118/> The rash, which occurs in 20–50% of cases, presents itself on the trunk and is [[maculopapular]], classically.<ref name=Deut2010/> Some people also develop [[opportunistic infections]] at this stage.<ref name=WHOCase2007/> Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting or [[diarrhea]] may occur.<ref name=M118/> Neurological symptoms of [[peripheral neuropathy]] or [[Guillain–Barré syndrome]] also occur.<ref name=M118/> The duration of the symptoms varies, but is usually one or two weeks.<ref name=M118/> These [[Signs and symptoms|symptoms]] are not often [[Medical diagnosis#Pattern recognition|recognized]] as signs of HIV infection.<!--<ref name=M118/> --> Family doctors or hospitals can misdiagnose cases as one of the many common [[infectious disease]]s with similar symptoms.<!--<ref name=M118/> --> Someone with an [[Fever of unknown origin|unexplained fever]] who may have been recently exposed to HIV should consider testing to find out if they have been infected.<ref name=M118>Mandell, Bennett, and Dolan (2010). Chapter 118.</ref> === Clinical latency === The initial symptoms are followed by a stage called clinical latency, asymptomatic HIV, or chronic HIV.<ref name=AIDS2010GOV/> Without treatment, this second stage of the [[Natural history of disease|natural history]] of HIV infection can last from about three years<ref>{{cite book |last=Evian |first=Clive |title=Primary HIV/AIDS care: a practical guide for primary health care personnel in a clinical and supportive setting |year=2006 |publisher=Jacana |location=Houghton [South Africa] |isbn=978-1-77009-198-6 |page=29 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WauaC7M0yGcC&pg=PA29 |edition=Updated 4th |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911043536/https://books.google.com/books?id=WauaC7M0yGcC&pg=PA29 |archive-date=September 11, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> to over 20 years<ref>{{cite book |last=Hicks |first=Charles B. |editor1-last=Reeders |editor1-first=Jacques W.A.J. |editor2-last=Goodman |editor2-first=Philip Charles |title=Radiology of AIDS |year=2001 |publisher=Springer |location=Berlin [u.a.] |isbn=978-3-540-66510-6 |page=19 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xmFBtyPGOQIC&pg=PA19 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509101646/https://books.google.com/books?id=xmFBtyPGOQIC&pg=PA19 |archive-date=May 9, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> (on average, about eight years).<ref>{{cite book |last=Elliott |first=Tom |title=Lecture Notes: Medical Microbiology and Infection |year=2012 |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |isbn=978-1-118-37226-5 |page=273 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M4q3AyDQIUYC&pg=PA273 |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919014154/https://books.google.com/books?id=M4q3AyDQIUYC&pg=PA273 |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> While typically there are few or no symptoms at first, near the end of this stage many people experience fever, weight loss, gastrointestinal problems and muscle pains.<ref name=AIDS2010GOV/> Between 50% and 70% of people also develop [[persistent generalized lymphadenopathy]], characterized by unexplained, non-painful enlargement of more than one group of lymph nodes (other than in the groin) for over three to six months.<ref name=M121/> Although most [[HIV-1]] infected individuals have a detectable viral load and in the absence of treatment will eventually progress to AIDS, a small proportion (about 5%) retain high levels of [[CD4]]<SUP>+</SUP> T cells ([[T helper cell]]s) without [[Management of HIV/AIDS|antiretroviral therapy]] for more than five years.<ref name=M118/><ref name=LT2010/> These individuals are classified as "HIV controllers" or [[long-term nonprogressors]] (LTNP).<ref name=LT2010>{{cite journal |vauthors=Blankson JN |title=Control of HIV-1 replication in elite suppressors |journal=Discovery Medicine |volume=9 |issue=46 |pages=261–66 |date=March 2010 |pmid=20350494}}</ref> Another group consists of those who maintain a low or undetectable viral load without anti-retroviral treatment, known as "elite controllers" or "elite suppressors".<!--<ref name=Walker2007/> --> They represent approximately 1 in 300 infected persons.<ref name=Walker2007>{{cite journal |vauthors=Walker BD |title=Elite control of HIV Infection: implications for vaccines and treatment |journal=Topics in HIV Medicine |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=134–36 |date=August–September 2007 |pmid=17720999}}</ref> ===Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome=== [[File:Symptoms of AIDS.svg|thumb|upright=1.25|alt=A diagram of a human torso labeled with the most common symptoms of AIDS|Main symptoms of AIDS]] Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is defined as an HIV infection with either a CD4<SUP>+</SUP> T cell count below 200 cells per µL or the occurrence of specific diseases associated with HIV infection.<ref name=M118/> In the absence of specific treatment, around half of people infected with HIV develop AIDS within ten years.<ref name=M118/> The most common initial conditions that alert to the presence of AIDS are [[pneumocystis pneumonia]] (40%), [[cachexia]] in the form of HIV wasting syndrome (20%), and [[esophageal candidiasis]].<ref name=M118/> Other common signs include recurrent [[respiratory tract infection]]s.<ref name=M118/> <!--Opportunistic infections --> [[Opportunistic infections]] may be caused by [[bacteria]], [[virus]]es, [[fungi]], and [[parasite]]s that are normally controlled by the immune system.<ref name=Holmes>{{cite journal |vauthors=Holmes CB, Losina E, Walensky RP, Yazdanpanah Y, Freedberg KA |title=Review of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-related opportunistic infections in sub-Saharan Africa |journal=[[Clinical Infectious Diseases]] |volume=36 |issue=5 |pages=652–62 |date=March 2003 |pmid=12594648 |doi=10.1086/367655|doi-access=free }}</ref> Which infections occur depends partly on what organisms are common in the person's environment.<ref name=M118/> These infections may affect nearly every [[biological system|organ system]].<ref name=Complications2011>{{cite journal |vauthors=Chu C, Selwyn PA |title=Complications of HIV infection: a systems-based approach |journal=American Family Physician |volume=83 |issue=4 |pages=395–406 |date=February 2011 |pmid=21322514}}</ref> <!--AIDS related cancers --> People with AIDS have an increased risk of developing various viral-induced cancers, including [[Kaposi's sarcoma]], [[Burkitt's lymphoma]], [[primary central nervous system lymphoma]], and [[cervical cancer]].<ref name=Deut2010/> Kaposi's sarcoma is the most common cancer, occurring in 10% to 20% of people with HIV.<ref name=M169>Mandell, Bennett, and Dolan (2010). Chapter 169.</ref> The second-most common cancer is lymphoma, which is the cause of death of nearly 16% of people with AIDS and is the initial sign of AIDS in 3% to 4%.<ref name=M169/> Both these cancers are associated with [[Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus|human herpesvirus 8]] (HHV-8).<ref name=M169/> Cervical cancer occurs more frequently in those with AIDS because of its association with [[human papillomavirus]] (HPV).<ref name=M169/> [[Conjunctiva|Conjunctival cancer]] (of the layer that lines the inner part of eyelids and the white part of the eye) is also more common in those with HIV.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Mittal R, Rath S, Vemuganti GK |title=Ocular surface squamous neoplasia – Review of etio-pathogenesis and an update on clinico-pathological diagnosis |journal=Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology |volume=27 |issue=3 |pages=177–86 |date=July 2013 |pmid=24227983 |pmc=3770226 |doi=10.1016/j.sjopt.2013.07.002}}</ref> <!--Systemic symptoms --> Additionally, people with AIDS frequently have systemic symptoms such as prolonged fevers, [[Night sweats|sweats]] (particularly at night), swollen lymph nodes, chills, weakness, and [[cachexia|unintended weight loss]].<ref>{{cite web |title=AIDS |url=https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000594.htm |website=MedlinePlus |access-date=June 14, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618135541/http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000594.htm |archive-date=June 18, 2012 }}</ref> Diarrhea is another common symptom, present in about 90% of people with AIDS.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Sestak K |title=Chronic diarrhea and AIDS: insights into studies with non-human primates |journal=Current HIV Research |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=199–205 |date=July 2005 |pmid=16022653 |doi=10.2174/1570162054368084}}</ref> They can also be affected by diverse psychiatric and neurological symptoms independent of opportunistic infections and cancers.<ref>{{cite book |title=Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice: Expert Consult – Online and Print, 6e (Bradley, Neurology in Clinical Practice e-dition 2v Set) |year=2012 |publisher=Elsevier/Saunders |location=Philadelphia |isbn=978-1-4377-0434-1 |vauthors=Murray ED, Buttner N, Price BH |volume=1 |edition=6th |page=101 |veditors=Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J |chapter=Depression and Psychosis in Neurological Practice}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page