The symptoms of HIV/AIDS can be divided into three stages:
1. Acute infection stage: Within 2 to 4 weeks after contracting the virus, many people experience flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, sore throat, and body rash.
2. Clinical latency stage: This phase can last for up to a decade, and during this time, the virus multiplies at very low levels, and there may not be any noticeable symptoms.
3. AIDS stage: This is the most advanced stage of HIV infection, and it typically occurs when the immune system is severely damaged. Symptoms at this stage can include weight loss, chronic diarrhea, night sweats, recurring fever, persistent fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
It’s important to remember that the only way to know for sure if you have HIV/AIDS is to get tested. If you think you have been exposed to the virus, it is recommended that you get tested as soon as possible.
