AIDS / HIV Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

HIV may not cause symptoms for a number of years.

Early symptoms may appear a month or two after becoming infected. They may last a couple of weeks. These include:

Rapid weight loss
Dry cough
Sore throat
Recurring fever
Night sweats
Extreme, unexplained fatigue
Swollen lymph nodes in armpits, neck, or groin
White spots on the tongue or in the mouth or throat
Headache
Discomfort from light
Rash
Depression
Irritable mood
Memory loss or other neurological disorder

After these initial symptoms pass, there may be no symptoms for months to years. Then, the following symptoms may occur over the course of 1 to 3 years:

Swollen lymph glands all over the body
Fungal infections of the mouth, fingernails, toes
Repeated vaginal infections ( yeast and Trichomonas )
Development of lots of warts
Exacerbations of prior conditions, such as eczema , psoriasis , herpes infection
Shingles
Night sweats
Weight loss
Chronic diarrhea

It can be 10 years or more before HIV progresses to AIDS. This happens when T helper cell levels fall below certain levels and opportunistic infections arise. Examples of opportunistic infections and other complications of AIDS include:

Thrush (an overgrowth of yeast)
Pneumonia (particularly Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia)
Invasive fungal infections (resulting in brain and/or lung infections)
Toxoplasmosis infection
Tuberculosis
Viral brain infection
Kaposi's sarcoma
Lymphoma
Cervical cancer
Eye disease due to cytomegalovirus infection
Intestinal infections, especially due to shigella, salmonella , and campylobacter
Severe weight loss (wasting syndrome)
Severe skin rashes
Reactions to medications
Psychiatric problems, including depression and dementia

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and risk factors. A physical exam will be done. Your doctor may order the following blood tests:

ELISA test —used to detect HIV infection
- 95% will have a positive test within three months of infection
- 99% will have a positive test within six months of infection
- If an ELISA test is negative, but you think you may have HIV, test again in 1 to 3 months
Western blot blood test —usually done to confirm the diagnosis if ELISA was positive

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.