AIDS is preceded by HIV infection, which may produce no symptoms for up to 10 years before a person is diagnosed with AIDS. Acute HIV infection progresses over time to asymptomatic HIV infection and later, to advanced HIV diseases or AIDS.

In a study of people infected with the HIV virus from 1977 through 1980, some have no signs or symptoms of HIV infection, and some have only enlarged lymph nodes. It is suspected that all persons infected with HIV will, given enough time, progress to AIDS; this theory has not been definitively proven.

The main symptoms:

prolonged, unexplained fatigue

swollen glands (lymph nodes)

fever lasting more than 10 days

chills

excessive sweating especially night sweats

mouth lesions including yeast lesions and painful, swollen gums

sore throat

cough

shortness of breath

changes in bowel habits including constipation

frequent diarrhea

symptoms of a specific opportunistic infection (such as candida, pneumocystis, and so on)

tumor (Kaposi sarcoma)

skin rashes or lesions of various types

unintentional weight loss

general discomfort or uneasiness (malaise)

headache 

Complications:

AIDS defining manifestations of immune deficiency, also called the opportunistic infections of AIDS, are illnesses that AIDS patients frequently acquire. Sometimes there will be more than one infection at the same time. Many of these infections are difficult to treat in AIDS patients, and therapy is required indefinitely or the infection will relapse. 

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

speech impairment

muscle atrophy

memory loss

decreasing intellectual function

joint stiffness

joint pain

cold intolerance

bone pain or tenderness

unusual or strange behavior

slow, sluggish, lethargic movement

anxiety, stress, and tension

groin lump

generalized itching (pruritus)

genital sores (female)

genital sores (male)

blurred vision

double vision (diplopia)

light sensitivity

blind spots in the vision

decreased vision or blindness

chest pain

flank pain or pain in the sides

back pain

abdominal pain

loss of appetite, indigestion, or other gastrointestinal upset

muscle pain

bone pain or tenderness

numbness and tingling

seizures 

Attention: The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.