HIV is the virus that causes AIDS disease (AIDS = Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). It is possible to have the HIV virus for a long time without developing AIDS.
Up to 60% of people who became infected with the HIV virus in the last 6 months not have any symptom. The duration, severity, and type of symptom vary from person to person and most of the initial symptoms go unnoticed.
Thereinitial or acute infection can start between 2 and 4 weeks after contact with the virus and is characterized by common symptoms to other viral syndromes such as:
- Fever between 38º and 40ºC;
- Headache, joint pain;
- Increased ganglia (gums) mainly in the region of the neck, behind the ears and armpits;
- Cough and sore throat;
- Nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, weight loss (on average 5 kg);
- Tiredness;
- Redness in the skin.
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During the course of the disease, the immune system is deficient in fighting infections and protecting the body, so some opportunistic infections may appear together: pneumonia, candidiasis, tuberculosis, meningitis, etc.
The HIV virus can be detected by the blood test offered free in the Health Units of the Unified Health System (SUS).
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HIV and Tuberculosis: What Are the Risks?
