What is aids and what does it do

Healthy adults generally have a CD4 count of to 1, 6 00 per cubic millimeter. An opportunistic infection such as Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is one that only occurs in a severely immunocompromised person, such as someone with advanced HIV infection AIDS.

This may be shorter if the person develops a severe opportunistic illness. However, treatment with antiretroviral drugs can prevent AIDS from developing. If AIDS does develop, it means that the immune system is severely compromised, that is, weakened to the point where it can no longer successfully respond against most diseases and infections.

The first few weeks after someone contracts HIV is called the acute infection stage. During this time, the virus reproduces rapidly.

During this stage, some people have no symptoms at first. This is because symptoms of the acute stage can be very similar to those of the flu or other seasonal viruses, such as:.

Because these symptoms are similar to common illnesses like the flu, the person who has them might not think they need to see a healthcare provider. And even if they do, their healthcare provider might suspect the flu or mononucleosis and might not even consider HIV. Whether a person has symptoms or not, during this period their viral load is very high.

The viral load is the amount of HIV found in the bloodstream. Initial HIV symptoms usually resolve within a few months as the person enters the chronic, or clinical latency, stage of HIV. This stage can last many years or even decades with treatment. Learn more about the early symptoms of HIV. After the first month or so, HIV enters the clinical latency stage. This stage can last from a few years to a few decades.

As with the early stage, HIV is still transferable during this time even without symptoms and can be transmitted to another person. HIV symptoms at this stage may come and go, or they may progress rapidly.

This progression can be slowed substantially with treatment. With the consistent use of this antiretroviral therapy, chronic HIV can last for decades and will likely not develop into AIDS, if treatment was started early enough.

Learn more about how HIV symptoms can progress over time. Many people with HIV experience changes to their skin. Rash is often one of the first symptoms of an HIV infection. Generally, an HIV rash appears as multiple small red lesions that are flat and raised. HIV makes someone more susceptible to skin problems because the virus destroys immune system cells that take measures against infection.

Co-infections that can cause rash include:. While rash can be caused by HIV co-infections, it can also be caused by medication. Some drugs used to treat HIV or other conditions can cause a rash. This type of rash usually appears within a week or 2 weeks of starting a new medication. Sometimes the rash will clear up on its own. Symptoms include fever and swelling of the face and tongue. A blistering rash, which can involve the skin and mucous membranes, appears and spreads quickly.

If this develops, emergency medical care is needed. Learn more about HIV rash. These symptoms can come and go or get progressively worse. These include:. Men, and those with a penis, may be more likely than women to notice symptoms of STIs such as sores on their genitals. Learn more about HIV symptoms in men. For the most part, symptoms of HIV are similar in men and women.

However, symptoms they experience overall may differ based on the different risks men and women face if they have HIV. However, women, and those with a vagina, may be less likely than men to notice small spots or other changes to their genitals. While not related to HIV symptoms, another risk for women with HIV is that the virus can be transmitted to a baby during pregnancy. However, antiretroviral therapy is considered safe during pregnancy.

Women who are treated with antiretroviral therapy are at very low risk for transmitting HIV to their baby during pregnancy and delivery. Breastfeeding is also affected in women with HIV. The virus can be transferred to a baby through breast milk. For these women, use of formula is encouraged. Options besides formula include pasteurized banked human milk. AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome is the name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when your immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus.

There's currently no cure for HIV, but there are very effective drug treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a long and healthy life. With an early diagnosis and effective treatments, most people with HIV will not develop any AIDS-related illnesses and will live a near-normal lifespan.

Most people experience a short flu-like illness 2 to 6 weeks after HIV infection, which lasts for a week or 2. After these symptoms disappear, HIV may not cause any symptoms for many years, although the virus continues to damage your immune system. Some people are advised to have regular tests as they're at particularly high risk.

Read more about who's most at risk of HIV. HIV is found in the body fluids of an infected person. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Jameson JL, et al.

Human immunodeficiency virus disease: AIDS and related disorders. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. The McGraw-Hill Companies; Accessed Dec. Sax PE. Acute and early HIV infection: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. Sax PE, et al. The natural history and clinical features of HIV infection in adults and adolescents.

Ferri FF. Human immunodeficiency virus. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Elsevier; Hardy WD, et al. HIV testing and counseling. Oxford University Press; Info Sheet: HIV This info sheet provides basic information about HIV. Other Resources. Get tailored information about your risk and learn how to protect yourself. Top of Page. More HIV Topics. Follow HIV.