The symptoms of HIV are numerous and vary in nature and are often difficult to distinguish. At the early stages, many people who are HIV positive display no clear symptoms for years.
In contrast, others might encounter symptoms that are similar to influenza, which usually begin to appear within two to six weeks of contracting the virus. These symptoms can last for up to four weeks.
Said Sadiq, the director of the Alexandria Regional Center for Women’s Health and Development, told Daily News Egypt the early symptoms of HIV might include, fever, joint pain, muscle ache, enlarged glands, sore throat, feeling tired, being weak, sweats especially at nights, having red rashes, and weight loss.
After the initial symptoms disappear, there will be no further symptoms for several years, he said. During these years, the virus continues to mutate, attacking the immune system the whole time. This process may continue for ten years, during which patients might display no symptoms and feel well and healthy.
He noted that symptoms of late-stage HIV infection might include blurred vision, diarrhea, dry cough, fever, night sweats, shortness of breath, white spots on the tongue or mouth, permanent tiredness, weight loss, and swollen glands that may last for weeks.
