c


Y AIDS is the phase during which it becomes apparent that someone has been infected with
HIV. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is not a disease but a set of conditions that
do not usually occur in a person with a healthily functioning immune system. These include but
are not limited to: Kaposi's sarcoma (a skin cancer), tuberculosis, PCP (a pneumonia), Candida
(thrush), and Varicella zoster. These are known as opportunistic infections (opportunistic
because they exploit the weakened immune system).

ë
 
 

When first infected with HIV, you may have no signs or symptoms at all, although you're still
able to transmit the virus to others. Many people develop a brief flu-like illness two to four
weeks after becoming infected. Signs and symptoms may include:

Y ^ever
Y Headache
Y Sore throat
Y Swollen lymph glands
Y uash

Π

You may remain symptom-free for years. But as the virus continues to multiply and destroy
immune cells, you may develop mild infections or chronic symptoms such as:

Y Swollen lymph nodes ² often one of the first signs of HIV infection
Y Diarrhea
Y Weight loss
Y ^ever
Y Cough and shortness of breath

x



c

If you receive no treatment for your HIV infection, the disease typically progresses to AIDS in
about 10 years. By the time AIDS develops, your immune system has been severely damaged,
making you susceptible to opportunistic infections ² diseases that wouldn't trouble a person
with a healthy immune system. The signs and symptoms of some of these infections may
include:

Y Soaking night sweats

Y Shaking chills or fever higher than 100 ^ (38 C) for several weeks
Y Cough and shortness of breath
Y Chronic diarrhea
Y Persistent white spots or unusual lesions on your tongue or in your mouth
Y Headaches
Y Persistent, unexplained fatigue
Y Blurred and distorted vision
Y Weight loss
Y Skin rashes or bumps

c
  
       

     

 



   


 
   
   
 
  



  
 
  

 
- 


     


! 
  
  

 
  
" #


  $%c   

 &


'%c     




(  '%c 

  )
 '%c    

* +    



   '%c 
 

 
  
 
   

  '%c   ,

       

- # 
    
   
.  


    ,
     
/  
 ,
    

0 1   
           
  

  

  ,  , 
    



   

 



   

- +     ,
  & 

 

  
   

  1


 2
  3
! 
 

 

   
  "  *  ,
   
" +   
    


  
 
4   
  
 
5 

 
 
  6%#
(   ,
 
)


 
* 1 
  
      
6'"   

 
  1" 

- 7  
 
 1"  


    
  1" )
  
,   
     

. 8   1" 

     

    
/ 1 


 ,  
    
)


   9  3 



0    


 


 1   
     
    
  
 
  
:
;     
 

: <    

 

 

: =