The first symptoms of AIDS occur between 5 and 30 days after infection with the HIV virus, and are usually fever, malaise, chills, sore throat, headache, nausea, muscle aches and nausea. These symptoms are usually confused with a common cold and improve in about 15 days.
After this initial phase, the virus may lie dormant in the body of the individual for about 8 to 10 years, when the immune system becomes very weakened and the following symptoms appear:
- Persistent high fever;
- Prolonged dry cough;
- Night sweats;
- Edema of the lymph nodes for more than 3 months;
- Headache;
- Pain throughout the body;
- Easy fatigue;
- Fast weight loss. Losing 10% of body weight in a month, without diet and exercise;
- Persistent oral or genital candidiasis;
- Diarrhea that lasts more than 1 month;
- Red spots or small rashes on the skin (Kaposi's sarcoma).
If the disease is suspected, the HIV test should be performed, free of charge by the SUS, at any country health clinic or AIDS Counseling and Testing Center.
Treatment of AIDS
The treatment of AIDS is made with several drugs that fight the HIV virus and strengthen the immune system of the individual. They decrease the amount of virus in the body and increase the production of defense cells so they can also fight HIV. Despite this, there is still no cure for AIDS and no vaccine that is really effective.
During the treatment of this disease it is very important that the individual avoid contact with sick people, because his body will be too weak to fight any microorganism that causes infections, arising opportunistic diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis and infections in the mouth and skin .
Important informations
To find out where to take the HIV test and other information about AIDS, you can call Dial Health at number 136, which runs Monday through Friday from 7 am to 10 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am to 6 pm. The connection is free and can be made from landlines, public or cellular, from anywhere in Brazil.
Learn how to get AIDS and how to protect yourself by watching the video below:
See too:
- Treatment of AIDS
- AIDS-Related Diseases