HIV/AIDS Symptoms

The symptoms of AIDS are primarily the result of infections that do not normally develop in individuals with
healthy immune systems. These are called opportunistic infections.
Patients with AIDS have had their immune system depleted by HIV and are very susceptible to such
opportunistic infections. Common symptoms are fevers sweats !particularly at ni"ht# swollen "lands chills
wea$ness and wei"ht loss.
See the si"ns and tests section below for a list of common opportunistic infections and ma%or symptoms
associated with them.
&ote' Initial infection with HIV can produce no symptoms. (ost people however do e)perience flu*li$e
symptoms with fever rash sore throat and swollen lymph nodes usually two wee$s after contractin" the
virus. Some people with HIV infection remain without symptoms for years between the time of e)posure and
development of AIDS.
Signs and Tests
The followin" is a list of AIDS*related infections and cancers that people with AIDS ac+uire as their CD, count
decreases. Previously havin" AIDS was defined as havin" HIV infection and "ettin" one of these additional
diseases. &ow it is additionally defined as a CD, count below -.. even without an opportunistic infection.
(any other illnesses and correspondin" symptoms may develop in addition to those listed here.
Common with CD, count below /0. cells1ml'
Herpes simple) virus ** causes ulcers1vesicles in the mouth or "enitals occurrin" more fre+uently and
more severely in an HIV*infected patient than before HIV infection
Tuberculosis ** infection by the tuberculosis bacteria that predominately affects the lun"s but can affect
other or"ans such as the bowel linin" of the heart or lun"s brain or linin" of the central nervous system
2ral or va"inal thrush ** yeast infection of the mouth or "enitals
Herpes 3oster !Shin"les# ** ulcers1vesicles over a discrete patch of s$in caused by the varicella 3oster
virus
&on*Hod"$in4s lymphoma ** cancer of the lymph "lands
5aposi4s sarcoma ** Cancer of the s$in lun"s and bowel associated with a herpes virus !HHV*6#. Can
occur at any CD, count but more li$ely at lower CD, counts and more common in men than women
CD, count below -.. cells1ml
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia 7PCP pneumonia7 now called Pneumocystic jiroveci pneumonia
Candida esopha"itis ** painful yeast infection of the esopha"us
8acillary an"iomatosis ** S$in lesions caused by a bacteria called Bartonella, which is usually ac+uired
from cat scratches
CD, count below 9.. cells1ml
Cryptococcal menin"itis ** infection of the linin" of the brain by a yeast
AIDS dementia ** worsenin" and slowin" of mental function caused by HIV itself
To)oplasmosis encephalitis ** infection of the brain by a parasite which is fre+uently found in cat feces:
causes discrete lesions in the brain
Pro"ressive multifocal leu$oencephalopathy ** a viral disease of the brain caused by a virus !called the
;C virus# that results in a severe decline in co"nitive and motor functions
<astin" syndrome ** e)treme wei"ht loss and loss of appetite caused by HIV
Cryptosporidium diarrhea ** =)treme diarrhea caused by one of several related parasites
CD, count below 0.1ml
(ycobacterium avium ** a blood infection by a bacterium related to tuberculosis
Cytome"alovirus infection ** a viral infection that can affect almost any or"an system especially the
lar"e bowel and the eyes
In addition to the CD, count HIV >&A load and basic screenin" lab tests re"ular va"inal Pap smears are
important to monitor in HIV infection due to the increased ris$ of cervical cancer in immunocompromised
patients. . Anal Pap smears to detect potential cancers may also be important in both HIV infected men and
women.
Dengue

Den"ue ?D=&*"hee@ is a flu*li$e viral disease spread by the bite of infected mos+uitoes. Den"ue
hemorrha"ic fever is a severe often fatal complication of den"ue.
Den"ue occurs in most tropical areas of the world. (ost A.S. cases occur in travelers returnin" from
abroad but the den"ue ris$ is increasin" for persons livin" alon" the Te)as*(e)ico border and in other
parts of the southern Anited States.
There is no specific treatment for den"ue.
Prevention centers on avoidin" mos+uito bites in areas where den"ue occurs or mi"ht occur and
eliminatin" breedin" sites.

What is dengue fever? What is dengue hemorrhagic fever?
Dengue fever is a flu-like illness spread by the bite of an infected mosquito.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe, often fatal, complication of dengue fever.

What is the infectious agent that causes dengue?
Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever are caused by any of the dengue family of viruses. Infection with one
virus does not protect a person against infection with another.

How is dengue spread?
Dengue is spread by the bite of an Aedes mosquito. The mosquito transmits the disease by biting an infected
person and then biting someone else.

Where is dengue found?
Dengue viruses occur in most tropical areas of the world. Dengue is common in Africa, Asia, the acific,
Australia, and the Americas. It is widespread in the !aribbean basin. Dengue is most common in cities but can
be found in rural areas. It is rarely found in mountainous areas above ",### feet.
The mosquitoes that transmit dengue live among humans and breed in discarded tires, flower pots, old oil
drums, and water storage containers close to human dwellings. $nlike the mosquitoes that cause malaria,
dengue mosquitoes bite during the day.

What are the signs and symptoms of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever?
Dengue fever usually starts suddenly with a high fever, rash, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and muscle
and %oint pain. The severity of the %oint pain has given dengue the name &breakbone fever.& 'ausea, vomiting,
and loss of appetite are common. A rash usually appears ( to " days after the start of the fever. The illness can
last up to )# days, but complete recovery can take as long as a month. *lder children and adults are usually
sicker than young children.
+ost dengue infections result in relatively mild illness, but some can progress to dengue hemorrhagic fever.
,ith dengue hemorrhagic fever, the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding from the nose, mouth, and
gums. -ruising can be a sign of bleeding inside the body. ,ithout prompt treatment, the blood vessels can
collapse, causing shock .dengue shock syndrome/. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is fatal in about 0 percent of
cases, mostly among children and young adults.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
The time between the bite of a mosquito carrying dengue virus and the start of symptoms averages " to 1 days,
with a range of ( to )" days. An infected person cannot spread the infection to other persons but can be a source
of dengue virus for mosquitoes for about 1 days.

How is dengue diagnosed?
Dengue is diagnosed by a blood test.

Who is at risk for dengue?
Anyone who is bitten by an infected mosquito can get dengue fever. 2isk factors for dengue hemorrhagic fever
include a person3s age and immune status, as well as the type of infecting virus. ersons who were previously
infected with one or more types of dengue virus are thought to be at greater risk for developing dengue
hemorrhagic fever if infected again.

What is the treatment for dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever?
There is no specific treatment for dengue. ersons with dengue fever should rest and drink plenty of fluids.
They should be kept away from mosquitoes for the protection of others. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is treated by
replacing lost fluids. 4ome patients need transfusions to control bleeding.

How common is dengue?
In tropical countries around the world, dengue is one of the most common viral diseases spread to humans by
mosquitoes. Tens of millions of cases of dengue fever and up to hundreds of thousands of cases of dengue
hemorrhagic fever occur each year.
In the $nited 4tates, appro5imately )## cases of dengue are reported each year in travelers returning from
tropical areas. +any more cases probably go unreported. A few persons have become infected with dengue
while living in the $nited 4tates. Aedes mosquitoes are found in Te5as, 6lorida, and other southern states, and
locally acquired dengue has been reported three times since )78# in southern Te5as.

Is dengue an emerging infectious disease?
9es. All types of dengue virus are re-emerging worldwide and causing larger and more frequent epidemics,
especially in cities in the tropics. The emergence of dengue as a ma%or public health problem has been most
dramatic in the western hemisphere. Dengue fever has reached epidemic levels in !entral America and is
threatening the $nited 4tates.
4everal factors are contributing to the resurgence of dengue fever:
&o effective mos+uito control efforts are underway in most countries with den"ue.
Public health systems to detect and control epidemics are deterioratin" around the world.
>apid "rowth of cities in tropical countries has led to overcrowdin" urban decay and substandard
sanitation allowin" more mos+uitoes to live closer to more people.
The increase in non*biode"radable plastic pac$a"in" and discarded tires is creatin" new breedin" sites
for mos+uitoes.
Increased %et air travel is helpin" people infected with den"ue viruses to move easily from city to city.
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is also on the rise. ersons who have been infected with one or more forms of
dengue virus are at greater risk for the more severe disease. ,ith the increase in all types of virus, the
occurrence of dengue hemorrhagic fever becomes more likely.

How can dengue be prevented?
There is no vaccine to prevent dengue. revention centers on avoiding mosquito bites when traveling to areas
where dengue occurs and when in $.4. areas, especially along the Te5as-+e5ico border, where dengue might
occur. ;liminating mosquito breeding sites in these areas is another key prevention measure.
Avoid mosquito bites when traveling in tropical areas:
Ase mos+uito repellents on s$in and clothin".
<hen outdoors durin" times that mos+uitoes are bitin" wear lon"*sleeved shirts and lon" pants tuc$ed
into soc$s.
Avoid heavily populated residential areas.
<hen indoors stay in air*conditioned or screened areas. Ase bednets if sleepin" areas are not
screened or air*conditioned.
If you have symptoms of den"ue report your travel history to your doctor.
;liminate mosquito breeding sites in areas where dengue might occur:
=liminate mos+uito breedin" sites around homes. Discard items that can collect rain or run*off water
especially old tires.
>e"ularly chan"e the water in outdoor bird baths and pet and animal water containers.