What Are the Symptoms of Having HIV/AIDS?

HIV/AIDS is a disease that causes great fear among people due to its long latent period, which can last for over a decade in some cases. This makes it difficult to detect the illness in its early stages, as symptoms are often subtle and non-specific. Occasional recurrent fever and cough, as well as decreased mental and physical well-being, may be the only initial signs. As the disease progresses, symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes and herpes zoster may become apparent.

During the initial years to over a decade after HIV infection, individuals may not show any clinical manifestations. However, once AIDS develops, a variety of clinical symptoms can emerge. Initial symptoms are often similar to those of a common cold or flu, including general fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever. As the disease advances, symptoms become more numerous and diverse.

Skin and mucosal infections with Candida albicans, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, purpura, blood blisters, and petechiae may occur. These symptoms gradually affect internal organs, leading to unexplained persistent fever that can last for 3 to 4 months. Other symptoms may include cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, persistent diarrhea, bloody stool, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, and the development of malignancies.

While the clinical manifestations of HIV/AIDS are complex and variable, not all patients will experience all of the symptoms mentioned. Lung involvement can cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, and coughing. Gastrointestinal involvement can lead to persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. The nervous system and cardiovascular system can also be affected.

Persistent fever, weakness, night sweats, and widespread lymphadenopathy, especially in the neck, axilla, and groin regions, are common. Lymph nodes are usually firm, mobile, painless, and greater than 1 cm in diameter. Significant weight loss, up to 10% or more within 3 months and up to 40% in extreme cases, is also a characteristic feature.

Long-term coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing, with bloody sputum in severe cases, are common respiratory manifestations.

Decreased appetite, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are frequent gastrointestinal symptoms. In severe cases, bloody stool may occur. Treatment with drugs commonly used for gastrointestinal infections is often ineffective for this type of diarrhea.

Neurological manifestations may include dizziness, headache, mental sluggishness, intellectual decline, psychotic behavior, seizures, hemiplegia, and dementia.

Skin lesions such as herpes simplex, herpes zoster, and inflammatory and ulcerative lesions of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa may occur.

Multiple malignancies can develop, with Kaposi's sarcoma manifesting as erythematous or purpuric macules, papules, and infiltrating masses on the skin.