How to Recognize the Symptoms of AIDS

Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the culminating stage of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus attacks the immune system and procreates in the body rapidly and creates serious complications by way of rendering the body naturally incapable of warding off diseases. As a consequence of this, life threatening ailments, infections and even cancers develop in the body. The worst aspect of AIDS is that there is not a vaccine and nor any antidote as of yet. There are only some drugs or medications, which help to decelerate the growth process. Moreover, the virus is not traceable immediately when it infects the body; it takes approximately three months to diagnose.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Understand that a person infected with HIV may not show any symptom at all; others may start developing symptoms from the span of 2 to 10 or more years.
2. Look for symptoms such a persistent flu with shivering, intermittent unrelenting headaches and undefined night sweats which may be so severe that they drench the patient.
3. See if the patient experiences frequent diarrhea, which may last longer than seven days.
4. Look for inflammation or abnormal thickening of the lymphatic nodes located in the armpit, neck or groin, which may remain for months together.
5. Check if the patient has lost weight suddenly and substantially, the causes of which are again inexplicable. This will also be followed by intense exhaustion and lack of initiative to work or at times even move.
6. Check out if the patient complains of continuous dry cough and rapid breathing; if the treatment is postponed, it may develop into pneumonia.
7. See if there are white or other strange spots or wounds on the tongue, mouth or the throat.
8. Check out if the patient has a thick whitish coating on the tongue and throat irritability and also chronic yeast infections.
9. Check out if reddish, brown, pink or purple blemishes or rashes can be viewed in or on the skin or mouth, nose, anus or eyelids. There may be a persistent itching sensation and even bleeding in some cases and at times the patient may complain of cloudy vision.
10. Check out if there is a partial or complete loss of sensation and strength in the hands or feet. Some may also show signs of pain in the limbs, rigidity or even palsy.
11. Look for psychological and personality changes such as sorrow, irritability, mood swings, rash and impulsive behavior, lack of memory and concentration and an overall sense of desperation and negativity. In some cases such depressive attitudes are the only symptoms visible and hence go undiagnosed.

Tips & Warnings

• Understand that the aforementioned symptoms coincide with many other symptoms; so do not assume that any of the above simply means AIDS. Consult a doctor and get yourself tested for HIV. That is the only way to know whether a person is infected with the virus.
• Understand that it does not spread through normal contacts and touch such as sharing cups or spoons, coughing or sneezing, sitting, working or playing together.
• Understand that the most popular means of contracting this virus is through sexual liaisons. Avoid unsafe contacts and /or with multiple partners.
• Know that it can also be spread through blood by way of contaminated syringes or needles or transfusion of infected blood.
• Know that it can be transmitted by an HIV infected mother to the fetus during pregnancy or childbirth. Studies also show that HIV can be transferred to the child through breast-feeding also.