What are the symptoms of AIDS?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on December 13, 2024
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The primary symptoms of AIDS are mainly due to immunodeficiency and opportunistic infections caused by a weakened immune system. During the acute phase of AIDS, the virus replicates in large numbers, leading to immune damage and disorder. In the acute phase, symptoms such as rashes, fever, sore throat, weight loss, and diarrhea are common. During the symptomatic phase, symptoms like unexplained fever, diarrhea, chest tightness, coughing, phlegm, and numerous white secretions on the oral tongue are commonly observed.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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How is AIDS transmitted?

The HIV virus primarily exists in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, ascitic fluid, and bodily fluids of infected persons. There are three main transmission pathways: sexual contact, blood products, and mother-to-child transmission, which include homosexual, heterosexual, and bisexual contact; sharing needles for intravenous drug use, invasive medical procedures, tattooing, as well as transmission from an HIV-positive mother through placental delivery and breastfeeding. Normal activities such as handshaking, hugging, polite kissing, sharing meals, and living together do not transmit the HIV virus.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Watery stools in early stage of AIDS

The appearance of watery stools does not necessarily indicate the early stages of AIDS. It could be viral gastroenteritis or food intolerance. It is not feasible to diagnose AIDS based solely on the symptom of watery stools, as AIDS symptoms are not very typical or specific. To rule out or confirm an AIDS infection, one can undergo HIV antibody or nucleic acid testing. In the early stages of AIDS, HIV nucleic acid testing is often able to detect the infection.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Is the HIV test paper accurate?

The test papers for AIDS, whether domestically produced or imported, have an accuracy rate exceeding 90%, with some even reaching 95% to 97% or more. As for the accuracy of these results, the key depends on two factors: first, whether the testing method you use is accurate, and second, whether the testing is conducted after the window period has passed.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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What are the body fluid transmissions of AIDS?

Actually, it is quite difficult for the HIV virus to be transmitted through bodily fluids because the HIV virus mainly exists in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, cervical mucus, breast milk, as well as amniotic fluid, ascites, and pleural effusion of those infected with HIV. Other body fluids, such as sweat, urine, tears, and feces, generally do not contain the virus or contain it in extremely minute amounts, and are unlikely to facilitate transmission. AIDS is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, blood transmission, and from mother to child, and is not transmitted through ordinary contact.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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Is AIDS a sexually transmitted disease?

AIDS is caused by the infection of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, also known as HIV, which leads to significant immune deficiency characterized by the disease. The main route of transmission is through sexual contact. It spreads quickly and has a relatively high mortality rate. Currently, there is no effective cure, making it one of the major lethal infectious sexually transmitted diseases in humans.