What are the symptoms of AIDS?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on May 27, 2025
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Actually, the symptoms of AIDS are not very typical. When it progresses to the AIDS stage, which is the late stage of the disease, symptoms such as unexplained persistent fever, weight loss, cough, chest tightness, diarrhea, phlegm, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, rash, and others may appear. Some patients may also develop many white powdery deposits on the oral mucosa, and some may experience pain when swallowing. Different opportunistic infections have different symptoms.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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How long does it take for AIDS to manifest?

After the human body becomes infected with the HIV virus, 50%-70% of people may exhibit symptoms similar to the common cold, such as fever, headache, sore throat, and muscle and joint pain, about two weeks later. There can also be generalized swelling of the lymph nodes, the appearance of maculopapular rashes, and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Generally, these symptoms will disappear after about a month, and then a symptom-free infection period follows, which can last from 1 to 10 years. Subsequently, the individual enters the AIDS phase. During the AIDS phase, various types of infections erupt, including bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections, and even concurrent malignant tumors, all of which can lead to death.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Is AIDS fatal?

Most AIDS patients will die from AIDS, but due to differences in our living conditions, living environment, mental state, treatment plans, and treatment conditions, there are a few people who may just be carriers of AIDS for life without progressing to the AIDS stage. Such people might die from their normal life expectancy rather than from AIDS, which is possible.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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What are the symptoms of AIDS?

During different stages of HIV infection, there are some varying clinical symptoms. The latency period of HIV, also known as the asymptomatic period, generally has no obvious symptoms, though some individuals may only show enlargement of lymph nodes. During the acute infection stage of HIV, symptoms such as generalized lymph node enlargement, fever, rash, and cough are common. In the late stages of HIV, due to severe deficiencies in immune function, there is a high susceptibility to a variety of opportunistic infections, which can lead to unexplained spontaneous fever, diarrhea, cough, and other symptoms that must be addressed according to the specific circumstances.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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How to prevent AIDS

The HIV virus primarily exists in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, pleural fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, and breast milk of people with AIDS. It is mainly transmitted through sexual contact, including homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual contact, as well as through blood and blood products. This includes intravenous drug injection, invasive medical procedures, and tattooing. There is also mother-to-child transmission, mainly through the placenta during childbirth and breastfeeding. To prevent AIDS, one must avoid the aforementioned behaviors. Everyday actions such as handshakes, hugs, and social kisses, as well as normal daily contact, do not transmit the HIV virus.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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How long does it take to detect HIV?

Actually, the diagnosis of AIDS is mainly through the testing of AIDS antibodies or AIDS nucleic acids, and the antibody test for AIDS needs to be conducted after the window period. Generally, the window period for AIDS is about four weeks, and the test for AIDS antibodies or AIDS nucleic acids should be conducted after four weeks. If the result is positive, then it can be diagnosed. Further confirmation experiments at the disease control center are needed if the AIDS confirmation test is positive to diagnose AIDS. Once diagnosed with AIDS, treatment against the AIDS virus is required.