It is important to know that HIV and AIDS are two different things. While AIDS is not a virus, it is one of the symptoms of a virus called HIV. HIV infection can be inherited whereas this is not possible for AIDS. Therefore, the symptoms of HIV can vary from person to person. These symptoms usually show up after a long time and are known to occur in stages.

Stage 1

After four weeks of being infected with HIV, you will experience something close to the flu. These symptoms are not a reliable way of knowing whether or not you have the infection. However, you should visit a doctor if you are worried that HIV could be a cause behind the same.

• High unexplained fever
• Rashes
• Swollen glands
• Sore throat
• Upset stomach
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Headache

Stage 2

At this juncture, people who suffer from the symptoms mentioned above start to feel a lot better, and the virus might not even show any results for the next ten to fifteen years. But this does not mean that the virus is gone since it is still active and keeps on multiplying inside the body. This causes a lot of damage to your immune system.

Stage 3

By this stage, the virus has caused a lot of damage to your immune system. You will start to get serious fungal or bacterial infections that you would not be able to fight off. These are usually known as ‘opportunistic infections, ’ and they strike when the immune system is fragile. Here are a few typical symptoms you may spot during this time.

• Chronic diarrhea
• High fever
• Extreme weight loss
• Excessive sweating
• Serious illnesses
• Skin problems
• Recurring infections

HIV/ AIDS can be fatal and can cause your body a lot of pain and damage. The worst part is that it happens gradually and makes you suffer. Hence, one needs to lookout for all these symptoms and be careful at all times. A rash decision can ruin your life. Avoid unprotected sexual intercourse or contact with blood from an unknown source or unsterile needles of any sort.