HIV How Affects Body

1. Acute HIV infection

This is the earliest stage of HIV infection, and it typically occurs 2 to 4 weeks after infection. During this stage, the virus is actively replicating and spreading throughout the body. Symptoms may include:

* Fever

* Chills

* Fatigue

* Muscle aches

* Joint pain

* Headache

* Sore throat

* Swollen lymph nodes

* Rash

2. Chronic HIV infection

This is the longest stage of HIV infection, and it can last for many years. During this stage, the virus is still present in the body, but it is not replicating at high levels. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, depending on the individual. Some common symptoms include:

* Weight loss

* Fatigue

* Diarrhea

* Night sweats

* Oral thrush

* Candidiasis

* Peripheral neuropathy

* Cognitive impairment

3. AIDS

AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. It occurs when the virus has severely weakened the immune system, making the person more susceptible to opportunistic infections and certain types of cancer. Some common opportunistic infections associated with AIDS include:

* Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP)

* Toxoplasma encephalitis

* Cryptosporidium

* Microsporidia

* Kaposi's sarcoma

* Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

* Cervical cancer

4. Death

AIDS is a life-threatening disease, and it can eventually lead to death. The average life expectancy of a person with AIDS is 12 to 15 years, but this can vary depending on the individual and the availability of treatment.