Symptoms of AIDS

AIDS is the acronym for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. This is a condition that compromises the immune system. It is caused by exposure to the HIV virus. The HIV virus is spread by direct contact with bodily fluids containing the HIV virus. Such bodily fluids include seminal fluid, pre-seminal fluid, vaginal fluid, blood and mother’s milk. HIV

anti-bodies can be found in saliva also. Some people who are exposed to the HIV virus do not ever develop the symptoms of AIDs. However, it is rare for an individual infected with the HIV virus to remain asymptomatic.

The symptoms of AIDS begin to appear as the result of the damaged immune system that a person infected with AIDS has. They symptoms of AIDS can vary depending on what part of the body immune system has lost control over. Certain health conditions can arise from bacteria, parasites, fungi and other viruses the person with AIDS has been exposed to. Symptoms of AIDs may not be evident immediately after the initial exposure to AIDS until two to four weeks later. Flu like symptom are usually the first to appear. The person may have a fever, muscle aches, headache, swollen lymph glands, sore throat and a rash. These symptoms usually last five to ten days and then clear up like other viral infections normally do. After the initial symptoms of AIDS the person can remain remain free of symptoms for up to 15 years. However, during this time the person can infect others with the AIDS virus.