HIV makes it hard to fight off respiratory problems such as the common cold and flu. An early sign of lymphoma is swollen lymph nodes. HIV and AIDS also put a person at higher risk for developing lymphomas. It can also cause problems in the lungs, the digestive tract, and other internal organs. Symptoms include red or dark purple lesions on the mouth and skin. It’s rare among the general population, but it’s more common in people with advanced HIV. Kaposi sarcoma, another possible complication, is a cancer of the blood vessel walls. It can cause problems with the eyes, lungs, and digestive tract. If untreated HIV advances to AIDS, the body becomes prone to opportunistic infections.ĪIDS increases a person’s risk for many infections, including a herpes virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV). An HIV-positive person may or may not show signs or have symptoms during this stage.Īs the virus advances, the CD4 count decreases more drastically. It can last for as long as 10 to 15 years. The next stage is called the chronic infection stage. Acute infectionĪn HIV-positive person may not have many serious symptoms during this stage, but there are usually large quantities of virus in their blood as the virus reproduces rapidly. This is associated with the first stage of HIV, which is called the acute infection stage, or acute HIV. White blood cells defend the body against viruses, bacteria, and other organisms that can make a person sick.Įarly on, HIV symptoms may be mild enough to be dismissed.Īfter a few days after being exposed to the virus, a person with HIV may experience a flu-like sickness that lasts a few weeks. The immune system prevents the body from acquiring the diseases and infections that come its way. The earlier a person receives treatment, the better their outcome will be. However, not everyone with HIV will go on to develop AIDS. At this stage, the immune system is severely weakened, and the risk of contracting opportunistic infections is much greater.
Without treatment, this cycle can continue until the immune system is badly compromised, leaving a person at risk for serious illnesses and infections.Īcquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the final stage of HIV. CD4 cells are also called T cells or helper cells. As the virus replicates, it damages or destroys the infected CD4 cell and produces more virus to infect more CD4 cells. HIV targets the types of cells that would normally fight off an invader such as HIV. The timing of their treatment can make a huge difference as well. How quickly the virus progresses will vary by: Once HIV enters the body, it launches a direct attack on the immune system.
Share on Pinterest Illustration by Maya Chastain
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