Patients with AIDS have had their immune system depleted by HIV and are very susceptible to such opportunistic infections. Common symptoms are fevers, sweats (particularly at night), swollen glands, chills, weakness, and weight loss.

See the signs and tests section below for a list of common opportunistic infections and major symptoms associated with them.

Note: Initial infection may produce no symptoms. Some people with HIV infection remain without symptoms for years between the time of exposure and development of AIDS. However, some people develop what feels like flu about two weeks after contracting the virus.

Signs and tests:
The following is a list of AIDS-related infections and cancers that people with AIDS acquire as their CD4 count decreases. Previously, having AIDS was defined by having HIV infection and acquiring one of these additional diseases, but now it is simply defined as a CD4 count below 200. Many other illnesses and corresponding symptoms may develop in addition to those listed here.

Prevention:
The following steps may seem personally restrictive, but they are effective and can save your life.

1.See the article on safe sex to learn how to reduce the chance of acquiring or spreading HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
2.Do not use intravenous drugs. If IV drugs are used, do not share needles or syringes. Many communities now have needle exchange programs where used syringes can be disposed of and new, sterile needles obtained for free. 3.These programs can also provide referrals to addiction treatment.
4.Avoid contacting blood from injuries or nosebleeds where the HIV status of the bleeding individual is unknown. 5.Protective clothing, masks, and goggles may be appropriate when caring for people who are injured.
6.Anyone who tests positive for HIV may pass the disease on to others and should not donate blood, plasma, body organs, or sperm. An infected person should warn any prospective sexual partner of their HIV-positive status, should not exchange body fluids during sexual activity, and must use whatever preventative measures (such as condoms) will afford the partner the most protection.
7.HIV-positive women who wish to become pregnant should seek counseling about the risk to unborn children and medical advances which may help prevent the fetus from becoming infected. Use of certain medications can dramatically reduce the chances that the baby will become infected during pregnancy.
8.Mothers who are HIV-positive should not breast feed their babies.
9.Safe-sex practices, such as latex condoms, are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. HOWEVER, there remains a risk of acquiring the infection even with the use of condoms. Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.

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