Causes and Symptoms of AIDS – What You Need to Know

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a severe health condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus systematically attacks the immune system, leaving the body defenseless against infections and diseases. Understanding how HIV spreads and recognizing its symptoms can aid in prevention and early diagnosis.

HIV is primarily spread through exposure to infected bodily fluids, including blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common transmission methods include:

• Sexual Contact: Engaging in unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner increases the risk of transmission. The virus can enter through cuts or sores in the genital or oral area.

• Shared Needles: People who inject drugs and share needles are at a high risk of contracting HIV from contaminated blood.

• Blood Transfusions: Although rare today due to stringent blood screening processes, HIV transmission through blood transfusions remains a possibility.

• Mother-to-Child Transmission: An infected mother can pass the virus to her baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.

HIV primarily attacks CD4 cells, a type of white blood cell essential for immune defense. Over time, without treatment, the virus drastically reduces CD4 levels. A person is diagnosed with AIDS when their CD4 count falls below 200, indicating a severely weakened immune system.

The symptoms of HIV vary depending on the stage of infection:

1. Acute HIV Infection: This occurs within 4 to 6 weeks of exposure and presents flu-like symptoms, including fever, sore throat, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.

2. Chronic HIV Infection: Often asymptomatic, this stage can last for years, with swollen lymph nodes being the only noticeable sign.

3. AIDS Symptoms: When HIV progresses to AIDS, the body becomes highly susceptible to severe infections, leading to symptoms such as:

• Recurrent fevers

• Chronic diarrhea

• Unexplained weight loss

• Extreme fatigue

• Night sweats

• Skin rashes

• Oral sores

Although treatment can slow the progression, there is currently no cure for HIV or AIDS.