What is HIV?

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the virus that leads to AIDS. HIV belongs to a subset of retroviruses called lentiviruses (or slow viruses), which means that there is an interval -- sometimes years -- between the initial infection and the onset of symptoms. Upon entering the bloodstream -- through mucous membranes or blood-to-blood contact -- HIV infects the CD4+T cells and begins to replicate rapidly.

Scientists believe that when the virus enters the body, HIV begins to disable the body's immune system by using the body's aggressive immune responses to the virus to infect, replicate and kill immune system cells. Gradual deterioration of immune function and eventual destruction of lymphoid and immunologic organs is central to triggering the immunosuppression that leads to AIDS.

What are the symptoms of HIV?

The only way to determine HIV infection is to be tested, as symptoms and latent periods vary from person to person. It is common during the first two to four weeks of infection that people experience flu-like symptoms and enlarged lymph nodes. This is because the virus migrates to various organs in the body, particularly the lymphoid organs. During this stage people are highly infectious and HIV is present in large quantities in genital secretions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following are symptoms that may be warning signs of HIV infections:

• Rapid weight loss
• Dry cough
• Recurring fever or profuse night sweats
• Profound and unexplained fatigue
• Swollen lymph glands in the armpits, groin or neck
• Diarrhea that lasts for more than a week
• White spots or unusual blemishes on the tongue, in the mouth or in the throat
• Pneumonia
• Red, brown, pink or purplish blotches on or under the skin or inside the mouth, nose or eyelids
• Memory loss, depression and other neurological disorders

Remember that the only way to determine HIV infection is to be tested for the virus. No one should assume they are HIV positive or negative based on the presence or absence of any of the above symptoms. Each symptom can be related to other illnesses; similarly, other symptoms or the absence of symptoms cannot assure that someone is HIV negative. To be certain, get tested. 
 

For more information on the HIV virus go to www.HIV.com.