HIV & AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) occurs as a result of the HIV virus attacking the immune system and represents the most advanced stage of HIV infection. HIV weakens the immune system by destroying the white blood cells that fight infections. The most common symptoms of AIDS include night sweats, sudden weight loss, diarrhea, and high fever. AIDS is caused solely by the HIV virus. Its management involves controlling the HIV infection with medications.

Key Takeaways

• HIV is a virus that damages the immune system. AIDS is the most advanced and severe stage of HIV when it is left untreated.
• HIV may initially present with flu-like symptoms. In AIDS, however, severe weight loss, night sweats, diarrhea, and serious infections are observed.
• HIV can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, via blood, through non-sterile medical instruments, and from mother to baby.
• The treatment of HIV is carried out with antiretroviral medications, and when used regularly, the virus is suppressed and progression to AIDS can be prevented.

What is HIV?

HIV is defined as the human immunodeficiency virus. This virus infects and destroys the cells of the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to remain resistant to diseases. When the immune system becomes severely affected and weakened, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) develops.

What is AIDS?

AIDS is known as the final and most severe stage of HIV infection. In individuals with AIDS, the number of white blood cells is very low, and the immune system is significantly impaired. As the immune system becomes increasingly weakened, additional illnesses known as opportunistic infections may develop. If left untreated, HIV infections typically progress to AIDS within approximately 10 years.

What is the Difference Between HIV and AIDS?

The main difference between HIV and AIDS is that HIV is a virus that weakens the immune system, while AIDS is the condition that may develop when the immune system becomes severely damaged as a result of HIV infection. A person who is not infected with HIV cannot develop AIDS. With treatments that suppress the virus, many people with HIV do not progress to AIDS.

Symptoms of HIV

In some cases, HIV may exist in the body without showing any symptoms. For this reason, even if a person does not have symptoms, they should undergo testing. When you first become infected with HIV, flu-like symptoms may sometimes occur. The possible symptoms of the HIV virus can be listed as follows:

• Fever
• Chills
• Feeling exhausted
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Night sweats
• Body rash
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Mouth sores

HIV Symptoms in Women

HIV can cause various physical and behavioral symptoms in women that may be difficult to detect in the early stages but become more noticeable over time.

Primary symptoms:

• Persistent fatigue and weakness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Prolonged or recurrent fever
• Increased frequency of vaginal yeast infections
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Skin rashes or lesions
• Swelling of lymph nodes (especially in the neck and underarms)
• Severe night sweats
• Loss of appetite
• Oral thrush (fungal infection)
• Increased frequency or worsening of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

HIV Symptoms in Men

HIV may initially present with flu-like symptoms in men and, over time, progress into more pronounced manifestations as the immune system weakens.

Primary symptoms:

• Persistent fatigue and low energy
• Unexplained high fever
• Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, groin, or underarms
• Night sweats
• Sudden and unexplained weight loss
• Skin rashes or itchy lesions
• Oral thrush and recurrent mouth sores
• Muscle and joint pain
• Prolonged diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Frequent infections (e.g., bronchitis, pneumonia)

Symptoms of AIDS

Among the symptoms of AIDS are headache, fever, and body rash. When the immune system becomes weakened, there may also be swollen lymph nodes, sudden weight loss, diarrhea, night sweats, and mouth sores.

The symptoms observed in patients with AIDS are as follows:

• Sudden weight loss
• Night sweats
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Extreme fatigue and weakness
• Swelling of the lymph nodes
• Inflammation in the lungs
• Red, brown, pink, or purplish spots on the skin
• Depression
• Memory loss
• White patches in the mouth and the formation of sores on the genital area
• Skin rashes and skin flaking
• Sore throat

How is HIV / AIDS Transmitted?

Unprotected sexual intercourse is the most common route of HIV transmission. A person’s body fluids, including semen, vaginal fluids, and rectal secretions, are also among the other modes of HIV transmission. Individuals of all genders can contract HIV. When it progresses and is left untreated, it leads to AIDS. The modes of transmission can be listed as follows:

• Sexual transmission
• Transmission through blood
• Use of blood transfusions and blood products
• Non-sterile medical instruments
• Transmission from mother to baby

How is HIV / AIDS Diagnosed?

Individuals who have symptoms of HIV infection need to undergo testing. In this way, a treatment roadmap can be established.

• Nucleic acid tests (NAT, PCR) can generally detect HIV infection 10–30 days after exposure.
• Antibody tests, which are performed with blood drawn from a vein, become detectable 18–45 days after exposure.
• During diagnosis, it is examined whether there is a substance in the body that has developed in response to the HIV virus. For this purpose, the ELISA test is generally used. If the test is positive, confirmatory tests may be applied.

How is HIV Treated?

HIV is treated with medication depending on the individual’s condition. This medication combination is also defined as antiretroviral therapy. The purpose of this treatment is to reduce the amount of HIV in the blood to a level that cannot be detected by HIV tests.

Missing doses or using the medication irregularly may cause the virus to develop resistance to the drugs. For this reason, regular use and follow-up are extremely important.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact us for professional help.

Frequently Asked Questions About AIDS / HIV

What does HIV positive mean?

Being HIV positive means that the HIV virus, known as the human immunodeficiency virus, is present in the body.

When do HIV symptoms appear?

The first symptoms of HIV appear as flu-like signs. These symptoms may begin 2–4 weeks after a person becomes infected and may last for 1–2 weeks.

When should an HIV test be performed?

If a person believes they have recently been exposed to HIV, an early test can be performed within 10–14 days using the HIV RNA PCR test. However, for definitive information, an HIV 1+2 Antibody Test should be performed after 3 months.

Can medications prevent HIV?

When taken as recommended, they can prevent HIV and provide treatment.

Can I become pregnant if I am HIV positive?

Thanks to HIV treatments, women living with HIV do not experience problems during pregnancy.

Which department should be consulted for AIDS treatment?

AIDS treatment is provided and monitored in the infectious diseases department.