HIV is a severe global health concern that directly impacts the human immune system. If untreated, it can lead to AIDS, which is the most advanced stage of the infection. Thus, recognising the signs of HIV early becomes important, as timely treatment can prevent AIDS.
The symptoms of the AIDS virus often appear when the body’s defences are already weak, which leads to recurring fever, chronic diarrhoea, rapid weight loss and severe health conditions.
The causes of AIDS are not separate from HIV, but result from the virus being transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, contaminated needles, blood transfusion or from mother to child during birth or breastfeeding.
Both men and women may experience similar signs and symptoms of AIDS, such as night sweats, persistent fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. In this aspect, here we’ll explain how the virus spreads, its early warning signs and ways to prevent infection to help reduce risk and promote healthier lifestyle choices.
What is HIV?
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is an infection that attacks the immune system and makes it difficult for the body to fight off diseases. So when people ask ‘what is HIV AIDS disease’, they are describing the link between the virus itself and conditions known as AIDS.
HIV damages CD4 cells, which weakens your body’s natural defence system against common infections like frequent colds and flu or persistent skin infections. The signs of HIV can be different for each person, but they often include changes in energy levels or minor recurring illnesses.
Some people notice early signs of HIV, such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, or night sweats. As these symptoms can be associated with other health problems, testing becomes the only way to confirm an HIV infection.
What is AIDS?
AIDS or the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is the late stage of the HIV infection when the immune system is seriously impaired. At this stage, the body is unable to protect itself against numerous diseases. To understand what causes HIV or AIDS, it is necessary to know that HIV is the virus that infects the immune system, and AIDS is a disease that appears when the virus is not treated for years.
The major difference between AIDS and HIV is that AIDS is the late stage of the disease, whereas HIV is the virus itself. Not all people with HIV get AIDS, particularly those who are treated early and regularly.
So, what are the signs of AIDS? The typical symptoms are frequent fevers, loss of weight, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, and chronic fatigue. There is also a risk of people getting infected by other diseases like tuberculosis or pneumonia due to weak immune defences.
All these AIDS symptoms are an indication that the body cannot effectively combat even the most trivial infections. The condition may develop rapidly without medical treatment. However, with antiretroviral therapy, a significant proportion of HIV positive people can prevent AIDS onset and live longer and healthier lives.
Difference between AIDS and HIV
HIV and AIDS are closely related, yet they are not the same. The following table highlights their differences regarding definition, development, causes of the symptoms, and overall effects on health:
| Category | HIV | AIDS |
| Description | Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the infection that weakens the immune system | Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, the late stage of untreated HIV |
| Causes of HIV and AIDS | Transmission through unprotected sex, sharing needles, contaminated blood, and childbirth | Causes of AIDS include progression of untreated HIV that destroys CD4 cells and leaves the body defenceless |
| Progression | May remain controlled for years with antiretroviral therapy | If your CD4 count is below 200, your doctor will recommend starting treatment to manage AIDS immediately |
| HIV and AIDS symptoms | Early fever, rash, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes | Severe weight loss, chronic diarrhoea, night sweats, tuberculosis, pneumonia, cancers |
| Gender-specific differences | Men and women usually show similar early HIV symptoms | Signs of AIDS in a woman may include frequent yeast infections and pelvic inflammatory disease. In men, signs may involve more severe herpes outbreaks, genital ulcers, or persistent infections of the reproductive or urinary tract. |
| Impact on health | Gradual weakening of immunity; manageable with treatment | Immediate treatment is required and sometimes long-term medical care |
| Outcome | With early care, people can live long, healthy lives | Immediate medical attention is required to manage this health concern. |
Causes of HIV
HIV is only transmitted by direct contact with some body fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk. Such fluids need to come into contact with the bloodstream of another individual to be infected. The causes of AIDS are associated with untreated HIV, yet the starting point is always the transmission of HIV itself. Some of the common causes and effects of HIV AIDS are as follows:
1. Unprotected sexual contact
Unprotected sexual intercourse is the major cause of AIDS. The virus is transmitted in the semen, vaginal fluids, and rectal fluids. During sexual intercourse, the smallest cuts on the surface of the genitals or rectum may provide HIV with a direct pathway into the bloodstream.
2. Sharing needles or syringes
During the injection of drugs, HIV may be left behind in minute quantities of blood, which may be left in used instruments. The exchange of needles, syringes, or even the containers that the drugs are being prepared in allows the virus to spread rapidly among individuals.
This is how new clusters of HIV infections tend to occur in communities where the rates of injection drug use are high. The effective ways to decrease this risk are needle-exchange programs and safe injection practices.
3. Contaminated blood transfusions
Prior to normal check-ups, blood transfusion was a significant contributor to the cause of HIV or AIDS. Currently, due to robust healthcare systems, countries donate all blood, and consequently, the risk is extremely low. Nevertheless, in places with either restricted or inconsistent screening, transfusions, organ transplantation, and even injections can be the source of infection.
4. Mother-to-child transmission
HIV can be transmitted between a mother and her child in the course of pregnancy, labour, delivery, or breastfeeding. Without treatment, the probability of transmission is high. However, in many countries, the risk of babies getting HIV after their mother has HIV is less than 2% with antiretroviral treatment in pregnancy, safe birth practices, and alternatives to breastfeeding practices.
5. Occupational exposure
Healthcare practitioners occasionally encounter the risk of needle-stick injuries, cuts, or exposure to infected blood. Although they are rare, such cases signify that transmission of HIV can only happen when the infected fluid comes into direct contact with the bloodstream. Infection can be prevented by post-exposure treatment when it is started early.
Symptoms of HIV
Some people may develop clear signs within a few weeks of infection, while others may live for a long time without noticing major changes. But all of them may indicate the following HIV symptoms:
- Flu-like illness: You might experience early symptoms of the AIDS virus, like sore throat, chills, muscle pain and swollen lymph nodes, shortly after being infected. This phase is also referred to as the acute retroviral syndrome, and it might be experienced like a seasonal flu, but may last longer and feel more intense.
- Skin changes and rashes: On your chest, back, or face, you may have red or itchy rashes. These forms of AIDS early symptoms in men and women can appear and disappear without an apparent cause. The rash often coincides with other early symptoms and reflects the immune system’s reaction to the infection.
- Mouth ulcers and oral issues: Soreness may present itself as painful sores in your mouth or your tongue. They can cause pain when eating and swallowing and can be recurrent.
- Night sweats: One may wake up sweating even when the room is cold, and this may occur at varying stages of HIV.
- Unexplained weight loss: When you lose a noticeable amount of weight without any change in diet or activity, it may be attributed to the effects of HIV on your immune system and metabolism.
- Persistent fatigue: HIV symptoms in women can result in tiredness for long hours, and it will not be relieved even after having taken a rest.
- Recurring infections: Colds, chest infections or yeast infections can continue to recur due to your body having lower immunity to resist them.
- Swollen lymph nodes: In your neck, armpits, or groin, you may have glands that remain enlarged for weeks, and this is a sign that your immune system is not coping.
How to Avoid this Disease?
The AIDS causes symptoms, treatment and prevention depend on reducing contact with the fluids that contain the virus in the body. Being cautious and employing protection strategies can significantly reduce the risk of getting infected.
Here are some of the common ways to avoid HIV and AIDS causes and prevention practices:
- Practice safe sex: Always use condoms during sexual intercourse, which reduces the risk of the virus transmission throughout the body.
- Be tested for the infection: Taking preventive measures against AIDS helps to detect underlying infection and to seek medical assistance if any problems are detected.
- Do not share needles or syringes: If you inject drugs, do not share equipment. Observe clean needles every time or visit needle-exchange programmes if they are provided.
- Ensure safe blood transfusions: Ask about the testing before transfusion or medical injection to understand the process of prevention and control of AIDS in the clinical unit.
- Prevent mother-to-child transmission: HIV-positive pregnant women should be taken care of and treated to minimise the chances of infecting their infants.
- Take preventive medication: Some medicines are used to prevent HIV through pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which are administered correctly and under medical supervision.
Conclusion
Being aware of HIV and AIDS can help you take steps to prevent the occurrence of such health conditions. Besides this, pregnant women can protect their babies and preventive options like PrEP offer extra safety for people who are at higher risk. Moreover, communities can reduce the chances of having infections and improve the quality of life for people who are infected with HIV by integrating the use of medical advancements with regular testing and awareness programs.
FAQs
1. What are the first symptoms of HIV in men?
You may experience fever, sore throat, rash, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats and fatigue within a few weeks of infection. These signs often fade quickly, which is why getting tested is the only way to confirm HIV.
2. What are the common symptoms of HIV in women?
You may develop flu-like illness, swollen glands, rashes, and ongoing tiredness. After a few days of getting infected, you may also experience frequent yeast infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, or menstrual changes. Since they overlap with other health concerns, taking an HIV test is recommended to stay safe.
3. How does HIV turn into AIDS over time?
If you do not receive treatment on time, HIV may slowly destroy CD4 cells that protect your immune system. Over several years, your body may become weaker and may not be able to resist severe infection. At this stage, your condition can be classified as AIDS.
4. What are the main causes of HIV infection?
You can get to HIV if you get in contact with infected fluids in your bloodstream. This can happen through unprotected sex, sharing needles, childbirth, unscreened blood transfusions, or from mother to child during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
5. Can early HIV symptoms be different in men and women?
Yes. Women are often prone to vaginal infections or pelvic pain. While men may feel rashes, swollen lymph nodes and night sweats.
6. What are the advanced symptoms of AIDS?
At this stage, you may lose weight at a faster pace, experience ongoing diarrhoea, night sweats, and chronic fatigue. You could also get infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or fungal illnesses.
7. How is HIV most commonly transmitted between people?
The most common mode of transmission is unprotected sexual contact. Other common routes include sharing contaminated needles, receiving blood that has not been screened, or from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding.