Symptoms of HIV in women in the early and late stages of the disease. Symptoms of HIV infection in women at different stages

The invisible killer that claims the lives of people every day is the human immunodeficiency virus. It is especially dangerous for women who fulfill their main mission on Earth - to give birth to healthy children. Therefore, every woman must know the signs that appear at the initial stage of the disease. Knowing the symptoms will help you recognize the disease and start treatment quickly. This will not allow the virus to destroy the immune system to the ground and help to avoid a tragic ending.

The first signs of HIV infection in a woman at the initial stage

Signs of HIV infection in women can be identified at the first stage of infection. However, the difficulty in diagnosing the symptoms of the disease are identical with other common diseases.

Every woman had a migraine, she was tired, felt depressed, in a bad mood. None of them at these moments will begin to suspect that they are sick with a deadly disease that will come to light, say, in a year. And if the throat hurts, is it worth it to panic, assuming the presence of an immunodeficiency virus?

Immediately after infection, there will be no symptoms of HIV infection! They will appear after a few weeks, months, perhaps even years.

It should be noted that the symptoms of the disease in women are somewhat different from their manifestations in men. Consider the first signs of a "female" disease, which occur a few weeks or, more often, months after infection.

Signs of colds

Women begin to feel severe chills, fever. There is heavy sweating at night. Immunity begins to defend itself: high temperature rises. Coughing, shortness of breath and even wheezing in the lungs occur. The symptoms persist for several days, and then disappear without a trace. Disappear to make way for new ones.

From the moment the virus enters the body, the immune system tries to kill it. And she succeeds at first. Affected cells are excreted through the lymphatic system. But there are a huge number of them, so the lymph nodes increase.

Thanks to the enlargement of the lymph nodes, it is easy to understand the route of infection. If it happens through the oral cavity, then the lymph nodes of the cervical region will become inflamed. An increase in the inguinal nodes indicates the sexual route of transmission of the infection. If the infection occurred through the blood, the lack of immunity will manifest itself in the organ where there is a chronic disease.

Signs of a gastrointestinal disorder

The virus, getting into the blood, has a significant effect on the digestive tract. Diarrhea, poor appetite, and, as a result, weight loss are observed. Eaten food is very poorly absorbed, sometimes not completely digested. Often sick can lose up to 20 kg. weight for a short period of time, although they maintain a normal diet. Such a sharp weight loss leads to anorexia.

Changes in the skin and mucous membranes

All kinds of viruses, bacteria and fungi attack the immune system, leaving serious consequences in the body. This results in the following diseases:

• tongue candidiasis;
• genital candidiasis;
• various types of tuberculosis;
• herpes;
• kaposi's sarcoma.

We note in particular that Kaposi's sarcoma occurs in 80% of HIV patients. It is considered an indicator of infection. If these malignant tumor-like pathologies are found in a woman, then it is quite possible that the immunodeficiency virus has been introduced into the body, and it makes sense to immediately take tests to determine HIV infection.

Also a serious signal that there is HIV in the body, causes oral and genital herpes. It is found in the body of almost every person, but a healthy immune system does not allow damage to develop. When the body directs all its forces to protect against the HIV virus, herpes, like other infections, begins to develop rapidly.

specific sign - vaginal infections- will also help recognize HIV in women. How does this symptom manifest itself?

1. a rash on the body, which can have different shades of color: from pink to red;
2. painful menstruation;
3. violation of the cycle of menstruation;
4. cervical dysplasia;
5. the appearance on the external genitalia of abscesses, ulcers, warts;
6. mucous discharge from the vagina;
7. persistent pain in the pelvic area;
8. diseases of the genitourinary system.

The gynecologist will be able to determine the cause of the appearance of exclusively “female” symptoms upon examination by taking a Pap smear.

Everyone knows the feeling of tiredness. Nervous work, lack of proper rest and many other reasons cause fatigue. However a healthy person easily recuperates. But if all the resources of the body are spent on fighting the immunodeficiency virus, which, despite this, is becoming stronger, then immunity cannot be restored. Therefore, a woman infected with HIV often gets tired, feels a constant decline in strength, and it takes more and more time to recover.

The immunodeficiency virus most of all "loves" nerve cells. As a consequence of this, all infected patients have problems with the normal functioning of the nervous system. The manifestation of the following symptoms of HIV is necessarily manifested in patients:

1. headache;
2. lack of clarity of consciousness (similar to the state of intoxication);
3. depression;
4. nervous breakdowns, reaching hysteria;
5. numbness, as well as pain in the joints and muscles.

Conclusion

Some doctors believe that Women develop the disease more slowly than men. Whether this is true or not is unknown, because this statement has not been proven by any medical facts.

Be that as it may, you need to understand that absolutely all known symptoms of HIV infection can be a manifestation of completely different diseases. However, knowledge of these signs will help to exclude the development of the disease without treatment for many years and, therefore, prolong life.

If any disturbing symptom appears, it is imperative to seek medical help by passing an analysis in order to accurately exclude the possibility of HIV infection. Only timely diagnosis and properly selected treatment will help prolong the life of an HIV-infected woman.

HIV infection develops in stages. The direct effect of viruses on the immune system leads to damage to various organs and systems, the development of tumor and autoimmune processes. Without highly active antiretroviral therapy, the life expectancy of patients does not exceed 10 years. The use of antiviral drugs can slow down the progression of HIV and the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome - AIDS.

Signs and symptoms of HIV in men and women at different stages of the disease have their own color. They are varied and increase in severity. The clinical classification of HIV infection proposed in 1989 by V. I. Pokrovsky, which provides for all manifestations and stages of HIV from the moment of infection to the death of the patient, has become widespread in the Russian Federation and the CIS countries.

Rice. 1. Pokrovsky Valentin Ivanovich, Russian epidemiologist, professor, doctor of medical sciences, president of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, director of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor.

Incubation period of HIV infection

The incubation period of HIV infection is determined by the period from the moment of infection to clinical manifestations and / or the appearance of antibodies in the blood serum. HIV in the "inactive" state (the state of inactive replication) can be from 2 weeks to 3-5 years or more, while the general condition of the patient does not noticeably worsen, but antibodies to HIV antigens already appear in the blood serum. This stage is called the latent phase or the "carrier" period. Immunodeficiency viruses, when they enter the human body, begin to reproduce themselves immediately. But the clinical manifestations of the disease appear only when a weakened immune system ceases to properly protect the patient's body from infections.

It is impossible to say exactly how long HIV infection manifests itself. The duration of the incubation period is influenced by the route and nature of infection, the infectious dose, the age of the patient, his immune status, and many other factors. When transfusing infected blood, the latent period is shorter than when the infection is transmitted sexually.

The period from the moment of infection to the appearance of antibodies to HIV in the blood (seroconversion period, window period) ranges from 2 weeks to 1 year (up to 6 months in weakened people). During this period, the patient still lacks antibodies and, thinking that he is not infected with HIV, continues to infect others.

Examination of contact persons with HIV-infected patients allows diagnosing the disease at the “carrier” stage.

Rice. 2. Oral candidiasis and herpes sores are indicators of a malfunction of the immune system and may be early manifestations of HIV infection.

Signs and symptoms of HIV in men and women in stage IIA (acute febrile)

After the incubation period, the stage of primary manifestations of HIV infection develops. It is due to the direct interaction of the patient's body with the immunodeficiency virus and is divided into:

• IIA - acute febrile stage of HIV.
• IIB - asymptomatic stage of HIV.
• IIB - stage of persistent generalized lymphadenopathy.

The duration of the IIA (acute febrile) stage of HIV in men and women is from 2 to 4 weeks (usually 7 to 10 days). It is associated with a massive release of HIV into the systemic circulation and the spread of viruses throughout the body. Changes in the patient's body during this period are nonspecific and so diverse and numerous that it creates certain difficulties in diagnosing HIV infection by a doctor during this period. Despite this, the acute febrile phase resolves on its own even without specific treatment and passes into the next stage of HIV - asymptomatic. Primary infection in some patients is asymptomatic, in other patients the most severe clinic of the disease quickly unfolds.

Mononucleosis-like syndrome in HIV

In 50 - 90% of cases of HIV patients in the early stages of the disease, men and women develop a mononucleosis-like syndrome (acute retroviral syndrome). This condition develops as a result of the active immune response of the patient to HIV infection.

Mononucleosis-like syndrome occurs with fever, pharyngitis, rash, headaches, muscle and joint pain, diarrhea and lymphadenopathy, the spleen and liver are enlarged. Less commonly, meningitis, encephalopathy, and neuropathy develop.

In some cases, acute retroviral syndrome has manifestations of some opportunistic infections that develop against the background of deep suppression of cellular and humoral immunities. There are cases of oral candidiasis and candidal esophagitis, pneumocystis pneumonia, cytomegalovirus colitis, tuberculosis and cerebral toxoplasmosis.

In men and women with mononucleosis-like syndrome, the progression of HIV infection and the transition to the stage of AIDS is faster, and an unfavorable outcome is noted in the next 2-3 years.

In the blood, there is a decrease in CD4-lymphocytes and platelets, an increase in the level of CD8-lymphocytes and transaminases. There is a high viral load. The process is completed within 1 to 6 weeks even without treatment. In severe cases, patients are hospitalized.

Rice. 3. Feeling tired, malaise, headache, muscle and joint pain, fever, diarrhea, severe night sweats are symptoms of HIV in the early stages.

Intoxication syndrome in HIV

In the acute febrile stage, 96% of patients have an increase in body temperature. The fever reaches 38 0 С and lasts 1-3 weeks and often. Half of all patients develop headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, malaise, severe night sweats.

Fever and malaise are the most common symptoms of HIV during the febrile period, and weight loss is the most specific.

Enlarged lymph nodes with HIV

74% of men and women have enlarged lymph nodes. For HIV infection in the febrile stage, a gradual increase in the first posterior cervical and occipital, then submandibular, supraclavicular, axillary, ulnar and inguinal lymph nodes is especially characteristic. They have a pasty consistency, reach 3 cm in diameter, are mobile, not soldered to the surrounding tissues. After 4 weeks, the lymph nodes take on normal sizes, but in some cases there is a transformation of the process into persistent generalized lymphadenopathy. An increase in lymph nodes in the acute stage occurs against the background of elevated body temperature, weakness, sweating, and fatigue.

Rice. 4. Enlarged lymph nodes are the first signs of HIV infection in men and women.

Rash in HIV

In 70% of cases, a rash appears in men and women in the early acute period of the disease. Erythematous rash (areas of reddening of different sizes) and maculopapular rash (areas of seals) are more often recorded. Features of the rash in HIV infection: the rash is abundant, often purple in color, symmetrical, localized on the trunk, its individual elements can also be located on the neck and face, does not peel off, does not bother the patient, has a similarity with rashes with measles, rubella, syphilis and. The rash disappears within 2 to 3 weeks.

Sometimes patients have small hemorrhages in the skin or mucous membranes up to 3 cm in diameter (ecchymosis), with minor injuries, hematomas may appear.

In the acute stage of HIV, a vesiculo-papular rash often appears, which is characteristic of a herpes infection and molluscum contagiosum.

Rice. 5. A rash with HIV infection on the trunk is the first sign of the disease.

Rice. 6. Rash with HIV on the trunk and arms.

Neurological disorders in HIV

Neurological disorders in the acute stage of HIV are noted in 12% of cases. Lymphocytic meningitis, encephalopathy and myelopathy develop.

Rice. 7. A severe form of herpetic lesions of the mucous membrane of the lips, mouth and eyes is the first sign of HIV infection.

Gastrointestinal symptoms

In the acute period, every third man and woman develops diarrhea, nausea and vomiting are noted in 27% of cases, abdominal pain often appears, and body weight decreases.

Laboratory diagnosis of HIV in the acute febrile stage

Replication of viruses in the acute stage is most active, however, the number of CD4 + lymphocytes always remains more than 500 per 1 μl, and only with a sharp suppression of the immune system does the indicator drop to the level of development of opportunistic infections.

The CD4/CD8 ratio is less than 1. The higher the viral load, the more contagious the patient is during this period.

Antibodies to HIV and the maximum concentration of viruses in the stage of primary manifestations are found at the end of the acute febrile stage. In 96% of men and women, they appear by the end of the third month from the moment of infection, in the remaining patients - after 6 months. The analysis for the detection of antibodies to HIV in the acute febrile stage is repeated after a few weeks, since it is the timely administration of antiretroviral therapy during this period that is most useful for the patient.

Antibodies to HIV p24 proteins are detected, with the help of ELISA and immunoblot, antibodies produced by the patient's body are detected. Viral load (identification of virus RNA) is determined by PCR.

A high level of antibodies and low levels of viral load occur with an asymptomatic course of HIV infection in the acute period and indicate the control of the patient's immune system over the level of the number of viruses in the blood.

In a clinically pronounced period, the viral load is quite high, but with the advent of specific antibodies it falls, and the symptoms of HIV infection weaken and then disappear altogether even without treatment.

Rice. 8. Severe form of oral candidiasis (thrush) in an HIV patient.

The older the patient, the faster the HIV infection progresses to the stage of AIDS.

Signs and symptoms of HIV in men and women in stage IIB (asymptomatic)

At the end of the acute stage of HIV infection, a certain balance is established in the patient's body, when the patient's immune system restrains the reproduction of viruses for many months (usually 1-2 months) and even years (up to 5-10 years). On average, the asymptomatic stage of HIV lasts 6 months. During this period, the patient feels satisfactorily and leads a normal life for him, but at the same time, is a source of HIV (asymptomatic virus carrier). Highly active antiretroviral therapy prolongs this stage for many decades, during which the patient leads a normal life. In addition, the likelihood of infection of others is significantly reduced.

The number of lymphocytes in the blood is within the normal range. The results of ELISA and immunoblotting studies are positive.

Signs and symptoms of HIV in men and women in stage IIB (persistent generalized lymphadenopathy)

Generalized lymphadenopathy is the only sign of HIV infection during this period. Lymph nodes appear in 2 or more, anatomically unrelated places (except for the inguinal regions), at least 1 cm in diameter, persisting for at least 3 months, provided there is no causative disease. The most frequently enlarged posterior cervical, cervical, supraclavicular, axillary and ulnar lymph nodes. Lymph nodes either increase or decrease, but they persist constantly, soft, painless, mobile. Generalized lymphadenopathy should be differentiated from bacterial infections (syphilis and brucellosis), viral infections (infectious mononucleosis and rubella), protozoal infections (toxoplasmosis), tumors (leukemia and lymphoma), and sarcoidosis.

The cause of skin lesions during this period is seborrhea, psoriasis, ichthyosis, eosinophilic folliculitis, common scabies.

The defeat of the oral mucosa in the form of leukoplakia indicates the progression of HIV infection. Skin and mucosal lesions are recorded.

The level of CD4-lymphocytes gradually decreases, but remains more than 500 in 1 μl, the total number of lymphocytes is above 50% of the age norm.

Patients during this period feel satisfactory. Labor and sexual activity in both men and women are preserved. The disease is discovered by chance during a medical examination.

The duration of this stage is from 6 months to 5 years. At the end of it, the development of asthenic syndrome is noted, the liver and spleen increase, body temperature rises. Patients are concerned about frequent SARS, otitis media, pneumonia and bronchitis. Frequent diarrhea leads to weight loss, fungal, viral and bacterial infections develop.

Rice. 9. The photo shows signs of HIV infection in women: recurrent herpes of the skin of the face (photo on the left) and mucous lips in a girl (photo on the right).

Rice. 10. Symptoms of HIV infection - leukoplakia of the tongue. The disease can undergo cancerous degeneration.

Rice. 11. Seborrheic dermatitis (left photo) and eosinophilic folliculitis (right photo) are manifestations of skin lesions in stage 2 HIV infection.

Stage of secondary diseases of HIV infection

Signs and symptoms of HIV infection in men and women in stage IIIA

Stage IIIA of HIV infection is a transitional period from persistent generalized lymphadenopathy to an AIDS-associated complex, which is a clinical manifestation of HIV-induced secondary immunodeficiency.

Rice. 12. The most severe shingles occurs in adults with severe suppression of the immune system, which is observed, including with AIDS.

Signs and symptoms of HIV infection in stage IIIB

This stage of HIV infection is characterized in men and women by pronounced symptoms of impaired cellular immunity, and according to clinical manifestations, there is nothing more than an AIDS-associated complex, when the patient develops infections and tumors that are not found in the AIDS stage.

• During this period, there is a decrease in the CD4/CD8 ratio and the rate of blast transformation reaction, the level of CD4-lymphocytes is recorded in the range from 200 to 500 per 1 μl. In the general analysis of blood, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia increase, in the blood plasma there is an increase in circulating immune complexes.
• The clinical picture is characterized by prolonged (more than 1 month) fever, persistent diarrhea, profuse night sweats, pronounced symptoms of intoxication, weight loss of more than 10%. Lymphadenopathy becomes generalized. There are symptoms of damage to internal organs and the peripheral nervous system.
• Diseases such as viral (hepatitis C, common), fungal diseases (oral and vaginal candidiasis), bacterial infections of the bronchi and lungs, persistent and long-term, protozoal lesions (without dissemination) of internal organs, in a localized form, are detected. Skin lesions are more common, severe, and longer in duration.

Rice. 13. Bacillary angiomatosis in HIV patients. The causative agent of the disease is a bacterium of the genus Bartonella.

Rice. 14. Signs of HIV in men in the later stages: damage to the rectum and soft tissues (photo on the left), genital warts (photo on the right).

Signs and symptoms of HIV infection in stage IIIB (stage AIDS)

IIIB stage of HIV infection represents a detailed picture of AIDS, characterized by a deep suppression of the immune system and the development of opportunistic diseases that occur in severe form, threatening the life of the patient.

Rice. 15. Expanded picture of AIDS. In the photo, patients with neoplasms in the form of Kaposi's sarcoma (photo on the left) and lymphoma (photo on the right).

Rice. 16. Signs of HIV infection in women in the late stages of HIV. Pictured is invasive cervical cancer.

The more severe the symptoms of HIV in the early stages and the longer they appear in the patient, the faster AIDS develops. In some men and women, an erased (low-symptomatic) course of HIV infection is observed, which is a good prognostic sign.

Terminal stage of HIV infection

The transition to the terminal stage of AIDS in men and women occurs when the level of CD4-lymphocytes decreases to 50 and below in 1 µl. During this period, an uncontrolled course of the disease is noted and an unfavorable outcome is expected in the near future. The patient is exhausted, depressed and loses faith in recovery.

The lower the level of CD4-lymphocytes, the more severe the manifestations of infections and the shorter the duration of the terminal stage of HIV infection.

Signs and symptoms of HIV infection in the terminal stage of the disease

• The patient develops atypical mycobacteriosis, CMV (cytomegalovirus) retinitis, cryptococcal meningitis, widespread aspergillosis, disseminated histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis and bartonnellosis, leukoencephalitis progresses.
• Disease symptoms overlap. The patient's body is rapidly depleted. Due to constant fever, severe symptoms of intoxication and cachexia, the patient is constantly in bed. Diarrhea and loss of appetite leads to weight loss. dementia develops.
• Viremia increases, CD4-lymphocyte counts reach critically minimal values.

Rice. 17. Terminal stage of the disease. Complete loss of the patient's faith in recovery. In the photo on the left is an AIDS patient with severe somatic pathology, in the photo on the right is a patient with a common form of Kaposi's sarcoma.

HIV prognosis

The duration of HIV infection is on average 10-15 years. The development of the disease is influenced by the level of viral load and the number of CD4-lymphocytes in the blood at the beginning of treatment, the availability of medical care, the patient's adherence to treatment, etc.

Factors of progression of HIV infection:

• It is believed that with a decrease in the level of CD4-lymphocytes during the first year of the disease to 7%, the risk of the transition of HIV infection to the stage of AIDS increases by 35 times.
• The rapid progression of the disease is noted with the transfusion of infected blood.
• Development of drug resistance of antiviral drugs.
• The transition of HIV infection to the stage of AIDS is reduced in people of mature and old age.
• The combination of HIV infection with other viral diseases negatively affects the duration of the disease.
• Bad nutrition.
• genetic predisposition.

Factors that slow down the transition of HIV infection to the stage of AIDS:

• Timely initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In the absence of HAART, the death of the patient occurs within 1 year from the date of diagnosis of AIDS. It is believed that in regions where HAART is available, the life expectancy of HIV-infected people reaches 20 years.
• No side effects on taking antiretroviral drugs.
• Adequate treatment of comorbidities.
• Sufficient food.
• Rejection of bad habits.

The immunodeficiency virus is a very insidious microorganism. A viral disease can develop in the patient's body for a long time. At the same time, the first HIV symptoms in women do not appear brightly - the patient does not even know about the serious illness that struck her body.

Blurred symptoms of HIV in infected women in the early stages of the disease make it difficult to diagnose the disease. However, experts say that the symptoms of HIV in women manifest themselves more clearly than in HIV-infected men. Before the process of laboratory testing of antigen and antibodies, it is these symptoms that lead a woman to a doctor. What are these signs? About everything in order.

The external environment is detrimental to the microorganism, because the ways of HIV transmission are in no way connected with air, touch, everyday life, etc. The only way is the transfer of a liquid medium from one organism to another. Signs of infection in women may manifest through the following circumstances:

• the use of injection syringes, tools in a tattoo parlor, a manicure room;
• unprotected intercourse;
• contact with infected blood (other liquid) on an open wound;
• blood transfusion.

The virus lives in breast milk, vaginal secretions (on the labia), semen. However, in order for a girl or woman to begin to feel the first symptoms that manifest HIV, contact with a sufficiently large amount of biomaterial is necessary. Therefore, in some cases, single unprotected sex does not lead to infection.

Classification of symptoms

There are no early symptoms of HIV in women immediately after infection. How long this period can take and when the first symptoms of HIV in infected women are observed, we will analyze further. Let's just say that this process does not last 1 month.

In addition to the absence of symptoms of the disease that could lead the patient to a general practitioner, an HIV test gives a negative result.

The photo shows a visualization of the window period for HIV disease. It seems that everything is fine and life is beautiful, but in fact you are already behind glass from life and society.

The only way to diagnose the disease before the first symptoms appear is to identify the direct provocateur of the disease in the patient's blood. Such an analysis is extremely rare. Perhaps the picture will change over time.

When does HIV appear?

How long does it take for the first symptoms of HIV to appear in women? External manifestations are not discussed for a period from 2 weeks to 8 months, very rarely up to a year. At this time, the cells of the virus divide, multiply, but the first signs of HIV in women appear only at the time antibodies are produced.

What determines when exactly the first sign of HIV in infected women will make itself felt? The timing is affected by the age of the patient, the activity of the microorganism and the state of the immune system. So, if the patient's immunity is strong, then the virus cannot manifest itself early and will go unnoticed until the beginning of the next stage - at an early stage of pathology. Otherwise, the first symptoms may appear and begin to actively manifest themselves already 2 weeks after the moment of infection.

About how HIV manifests itself at the stage of primary signs, we will tell further.

Primary signs

The phase of primary manifestations is the time of active spread of HIV infection, when the symptoms in women begin to manifest themselves. The duration of the period is about a year, it can proceed in various forms. The patient often confuses her condition with the symptoms of SARS, influenza.

The patient is concerned about the very first signs of HIV:

• temperature from 38 degrees (remains for several days);
• weakness, lethargy;
• painful menstruation, heavy vaginal discharge;
• headaches, irritability;
• pain syndrome in the pelvis;
• increased sweating during sleep;
• gastrointestinal disorder.

There can be both a single manifestation of HIV infection, and their combination. The severity of symptoms is also variable.

Important! The above primary symptoms, namely, their manifestation, are a reason for an immediate visit to the doctor.

Generalized lymphadenopathy

In sick women in the acute phase without secondary infections, an increase in lymph nodes is observed - this is the most striking symptom of infection of the body. The patient is concerned about the lymph nodes in the neck, groin and armpits. It is quite difficult to visually note the increase, but obvious changes are noticeable to the touch.

We continue the topic of primary symptoms and move on to the next symptoms of the disease.

Early stage

This is an acute HIV infection, the symptoms of which can manifest themselves not only in the form of generalized lymphadenopathy, but also in a number of alternative signs. The woman suffers from fever, a papular rash appears on the oral and vaginal mucosa, stool disorders, and menstrual irregularities are observed.

Skin manifestations are the main sign of HIV infection, in most cases

In 25% of cases, HIV infection in infected women at an early stage manifests itself as a "rubella-like syndrome" - red skin rashes, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat. If in infected women the first signs of the disease are absent even after the body produces antibodies, we are talking about an asymptomatic form of primary manifestations.

Latent stage and incubation period

This period of time is otherwise called subclinical, it proceeds as asymptomatic. Most often, the incubation time (incubation period) in women can last no more than 7 years. The symptoms are gradually fading away. The only surviving sign of pathology is enlarged lymph nodes.

The disease at this time can proceed almost imperceptibly for the patient, despite the presence of antibodies in the blood, the replication of which is slightly reduced compared to the acute phase.

Secondary manifestations

As the pathogenic microorganism affects the female body, the work of the immune system worsens - opportunistic diseases develop:

• mycoses;
• viral diseases;
• skin lesions;
• bacterial infections;
• inflammatory processes in the pharynx, sinuses;
• chronic diarrhea;
• CNS lesions;
• high body temperature;
• cancerous tumors, etc.

Approximately 7-8 years after infection, the patient has the first secondary manifestations of the disease - weak lesions of the skin and mucous membranes, which, in the absence of proper therapy, develop into serious pathologies

In most cases, it is the female body that is subjected to such a test. The phase of secondary manifestations is more often observed in patients with initially weakened immunity, which is unable to resist the development of an insidious disease in the body.

HIV and pregnancy

An infected woman is able to conceive and carry a healthy child if the patient takes appropriate medications before pregnancy and during the gestation of the fetus. However, the condition of the pregnant woman during the growth of the child may worsen, the development of concomitant diseases is not excluded.

Attention! There is a risk of a child getting HIV from a sick mother. Breastfeeding in the case of an infected mother is excluded.

To avoid complications, a woman "in position" should carefully monitor her health, lead a healthy lifestyle and strictly follow all the doctor's instructions.

AIDS symptoms in women

It should be noted right away that HIV and AIDS are not the same thing. AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is observed during the last stage of the disease. At the “terminal station” are those women who, for whatever reason, were not provided with appropriate assistance when the first signs of HIV were detected. By this time, the defensive function of the body's immune cells is at zero. This means that with the syndrome, the cells of the immune system are no longer able to attack infectious agents, so almost any ailment can be fatal.

The older the woman, the faster and more aggressive the disease progresses.

The symptoms of AIDS in women are no different from those in men. In addition to progressive weight loss (10% underweight), a number of additional symptoms appear. The patient's condition is reduced to the development of infectious diseases and tumors. Among the possible:

• toxoplasmosis;
• progressive tuberculosis;
• abscesses of internal organs;
• candidiasis;
• shingles;
• lymphomas and Kaposi's sarcoma (also observed in non-AIDS patients);
• persistent diarrhea;
• extensive herpes;
• mental disorders, etc.

Attention! Despite the active work of specialists, a cure for AIDS has not been invented to date.

How do you get AIDS

According to statistics, the first signs of AIDS in an infected woman who comes to diagnose the disease most often appear as a result of unprotected intercourse. The risk of borrowing the virus from your sexual partner increases significantly if sex takes place during menstruation, if the woman suffers from any diseases of the vaginal mucosa, for example, erosion. They become infected with AIDS and parenterally - through the blood of an infected person, which is on the damaged skin.

Attention! Both men and women are equally at risk of infection.

When do the first signs of AIDS begin to appear?

Symptoms of AIDS in infected women in the initial stage of the disease do not appear. This period is called the incubation period. Usually the first signs of the disease are noticeable 2-6 weeks after the alleged infection. In this case, the patient confuses the condition with manifestations of the common cold, SARS or flu.

So, the primary signs of AIDS in women are expressed in fever, sore throat, fever, migraines, weakness, swollen lymph nodes, etc.

Obviously, such signs of the disease are often "written off" by a woman for a cold - the patient does not seek help, and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome continues to destroy the patient's body.

terminal stage

AIDS is otherwise called the terminal stage of HIV infection, the manifestation of which began with a banal enlargement of the lymph nodes. The condition of a woman during this period is characterized by the complete destruction of internal organs. The symptoms of the secondary disease phase progress at an incredible rate. The state of immunity cannot be restored. The existing viral diseases are joined by serious diseases that affect not only the internal organs, skin, but also the brain of a woman. Among the most common ailments: herpes zoster, seborrheic dermatitis, candidiasis and Kaposi's sarcoma.

Kaposi's sarcoma

Most often, experts recognize AIDS precisely by the signs of this disease - it very clearly characterizes the disease. The patient's skin is covered with pink spots, which gradually turn brown, then purple.

Damage to the central nervous system

The course of some secondary diseases in an infected woman can lead to CNS disorders. So, in 60% of patients during the development of toxoplasmosis, unbearable headaches and convulsions appear.

Histoplasmosis also adversely affects the nervous system of a woman. Uncontrolled nausea and severe fatigue appear, as the patient's immunity weakens, migraines and seizures join the clinical picture.

Treatment and prevention of HIV infection

As soon as the characteristic symptoms of HIV begin to be detected, the woman who turned to a specialist is sent for appropriate tests. A positive blood test result for HIV indicates the need for treatment of the disease. Therapy consists in the systemic use of antiretroviral drugs, symptomatic treatment and prevention of comorbidities that can be diagnosed later.

Most often, it is necessary to fight an infectious disease with the help of drugs such as Zidovudine, Nevirapine and Didanosine. However, the active components of the drugs are not aimed at treating a woman - they only slow down the course of the disease. Medicines support the immune system, the patient's cardiovascular system, prolonging a woman's life.

Taking into account the fact that the signs of HIV are most often detected as a result of unprotected intercourse, we conclude that the primary measure for preventing infection is a barrier method of contraception - a condom. Persons who are at risk of infection should follow basic safety rules when in contact with strangers.

Which is one of the most dangerous in the world. Her cunning is expressed in the fact that for a long time she may not manifest herself in any way, and it is possible to determine her presence in the body only with the help of a special test. Over time, the infection leads to the development of AIDS, which already manifests itself with certain signs. According to statistics, the mortality rate from this terrible disease is extremely high: about 40-65% die in the first year, 80% after two, and almost 100% after three. In the course of HIV infection, scientists and specialists distinguish four stages:

• incubation period;
• first signs;
• secondary diseases;
• AIDS.

In our article, we will tell you about the period of time after which the first symptoms appear and what are the first signs of AIDS in women and men.

How long does it take for the first symptoms of HIV and AIDS to appear?

From the moment of infection with HIV to the development of AIDS itself, quite a long time can pass, and this period is very different. Scientists still cannot explain why one person develops the disease a year after infection, while another does not show symptoms for 20 years or more. On average, AIDS appears after 10-12 years. We recommend reading our.

When infected with HIV, a person does not know about it in the first days after infection. Its early signs can make themselves felt after 2-6 weeks. In most cases, they are expressed, SARS or. In the stage of primary manifestations of AIDS, some patients have:

• temperature rise;
• chills;
• muscle pain;
• enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes.

Some people who become infected do not have these symptoms, and this course of HIV infection is called the asymptomatic stage of the disease. Scientists have not yet been able to explain the reason for this development of the disease.

Sometimes in patients with HIV for a long period of time occasionally, but continuously enlarged lymph nodes. After that, they decrease, and the disease is asymptomatic. This form of HIV is called persistent generalized lymphadenopathy.

In the first few weeks after the onset of the disease, an HIV blood test can be negative - this period is called the “window period”. Only more modern diagnostic methods - PCR and a test for HIV infection - can detect the virus at this stage.

After the stage of primary manifestations, there comes a period during which the symptoms of HIV are completely absent. It can last for many years and is accompanied by the development of immunodeficiency.

The lack of antiviral treatment at the initial stage of this terrible disease leads to its more rapid development. That is why it is extremely important to detect AIDS at the earliest possible time when the first signs of HIV infection appear.

The first signs of HIV in women

The very first sign of HIV in women, which appears a few weeks after infection, is an absolutely causeless increase in temperature to 38-40 ° C. The period of hyperthermia can last from 2 to 10 days. It is accompanied by catarrhal symptoms characteristic of SARS or influenza: cough and sore throat.

The patient experiences symptoms of general intoxication:

• general weakness;
• headache;
• muscle pain;
• sweating (especially at night).

Many women have enlarged superficial lymph nodes in the occipital region, then on the back of the neck, in the groin and in the armpits. This feature may be generalized.

In some cases, women may experience severe nausea and vomiting, anorexia, and severe spastic pain. With significant damage to the respiratory system, the cough can be intense and end in attacks of suffocation.

With the defeat of HIV infection of the nervous system, the following symptoms sometimes appear:

• severe headaches;
• significant weakness;
• vomit;
• neck stiffness.

Many women are prone to diseases of the genitourinary system during this period. They are observed:

• a sharp increase in inguinal lymph nodes;
• abundant and frequent mucous discharge from the genital tract;

All of the above symptoms are non-specific and may not always indicate HIV infection, but their prolonged manifestation should alert the woman and become a reason for undergoing examination at the AIDS center.

The first signs of HIV in men

The first signs of HIV in men are in many ways similar to the first symptoms of this disease in women, but they also have some differences.

5-10 days after infection, a man develops or discolored patches of skin all over his body. The rash may be petechial, urticarial, or papular. It is simply impossible to hide such a sign.

A few weeks after infection, their temperature rises to high numbers, flu or SARS symptoms are obvious, a severe headache appears, and lymph nodes in the neck, groin and armpits increase. The patient feels complete weakness, constant drowsiness and apathy.

Often, after infection in the initial stages, the patient may experience diarrhea. It may also appear. The frequent and inexplicable appearance of such symptoms should be the reason for an HIV test in a specialized center.

The first signs of AIDS in men and women

After the stage of primary manifestations of HIV, which can last about three weeks, the patient often has a prolonged subfebrile temperature. Some infected people are able not to guess about the disease for many years. Further, they develop immunodeficiency, which leads to a long course of any disease.

The first signs of AIDS are the same for both men and women. Only the symptoms of diseases of the reproductive system can be different. The first sign of its onset may be long-term non-healing cuts and wounds. In such patients, even a slight scratch can bleed and fester for a long time.

• pulmonary - the patient develops pneumocystis pneumonia, which is characterized by a long and severe course;
• intestinal - at first the patient develops diarrhea, signs of dehydration, rapid and significant weight loss;
• with damage to the skin, mucous membranes and tissues of the body - the patient develops ulcers and erosions on the mucous membranes or on the skin, which progress, become infected and grow into muscle tissue;
• with damage to the nervous system - the patient's memory deteriorates, constant apathy appears, brain atrophy and epileptic seizures develop, the condition may be complicated by malignant brain tumors, or encephalitis.

AIDS lasts about six months or two years and ends in death (few patients live three years).

Rapid detection of AIDS is hampered by the fact that the first signs of HIV infection are non-specific and can be attributed to many other ailments. The frequent and unjustified appearance of temperature and enlargement of the lymph nodes must necessarily alert the patient and his doctor. In such cases, the only correct solution can only be an HIV test in a specialized center. The need for timely diagnosis of this deadly disease is beyond doubt, since earlier antiviral therapy can delay the transition of HIV to AIDS, and hence prolong the life of an infected person.

HIV is the most dangerous and one of the most common diseases today. The most important danger of this infection is that it leads to the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Therefore, it is important to know the symptoms of HIV in women and seek medical help in time.

The human body has a reliable barrier against the dangers that the environment is fraught with. This is immunity. The cells of the immune system are able to repel the onslaught of pathogens that daily attack a person. However, there is a danger that can destroy the body's ability to defend itself against the aggressive effects of the environment. This is a virus that destroys the cells of the immune system. In order to start the fight against the disease in a timely manner, it is necessary to know the signs of HIV in women in the initial stage.

Modern medicine has effective methods of treating HIV infection in order to prevent the development of AIDS. This insidious disease is dangerous because the symptoms of AIDS in women can be disguised as common colds or digestive disorders.

Ways of transmission of HIV infection

Due to the fact that women are more emotional than men, they are interested in knowing how HIV is transmitted and how it manifests itself in women. HIV is not transmitted through the air and through tactile contact. It is impossible to get infected through household items, dishes, bed linen and towels. When exposed to air, the virus dies instantly. The only route of transmission is through the exchange of natural body fluids. The virus is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk. However, saliva, lacrimal fluid do not contain immunodeficiency viruses. It is also impossible to get infected through the bites of blood-sucking insects, since they are not carriers of the infection. In the human skin, there are no cells in which the virus can gain a foothold.

The immunodeficiency virus can enter the body through unprotected sexual contact, through blood transfusion, through insufficiently sterilized medical instruments, in particular injection syringes, through tattooing tools, decorative scars and punctures, through milk from mother to child. The virus can also enter the body by entering the bloodstream through open wounds.

The first symptoms of HIV in women

It often takes years from the onset of the disease to the appearance of the first symptoms. Symptoms of HIV are sometimes more pronounced in women than in men. However, this is not the rule. In some cases, symptoms at the initial stage may be completely absent. The danger of HIV is that it does not manifest itself in any way, having just entered the body. When an HIV infection is born in the body, symptoms in women may not appear for a long time. Destroying immune cells, the virus does not cause the usual symptoms of infection: fever, swelling, pain, dizziness, digestive disorders, and others. Nevertheless, there are first signs of HIV and, having discovered them, it is necessary to immediately take tests.

• A viral infection can be manifested by symptoms of a cold: cough, sore throat.
• HIV can cause fatigue that does not go away even with sufficient rest.
• Daily persistent disruption of the digestive system, problems with defecation, vomiting, nausea should alert the woman.
• The lymphatic system is one of the first to respond to the penetration of the virus, so there may be a slight painless enlargement of the lymph nodes, especially the lymph nodes located on the neck and behind the ears.
• Small ulcerations of the skin on the external genitalia and oral cavity serve as a signal that there is a certain disease, and in any case it is necessary to be tested.

With initially weakened immunity, the immunodeficiency virus may manifest itself more pronouncedly. Then the first symptoms of HIV in women will have all the signs of an infectious disease. This is fever, lack of appetite, excessive sweating, as well as the appearance of cramps and pain in the abdomen.

If an HIV infection develops in the body, then the symptoms in women may be as follows:

• weight loss not justified by a change in diet or excessive physical activity;
• neoplasms and ulceration of the skin on the genitals;
• frequent inflammation of the genitourinary system;
• pain during menstruation, especially if they were absent before;
• unreasonable deformations or other pathologies of the cervix identified during a gynecological examination.

The simultaneous appearance of several of these signs should serve as a basis for a woman to be tested for HIV. The progression of HIV infection leads to the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, that is, the lack of the ability of the human body to independently resist infections.

The main symptomatology of the disease

Once in the human body, the immunodeficiency virus can remain latent for a long time. Therefore, it is necessary to know how AIDS manifests itself, and to use all the means at the disposal of modern medicine to combat it. Signs of AIDS in women may include:

Signs of the development of AIDS in women are often manifested by violations of the reproductive system. The cycle goes astray, menstruation is accompanied by sharp pains, copious discharge is often observed. In the absence of the ability to deal with external expansions, a woman's body is susceptible to the development of infections of bacterial, fungal, viral origin.

The first signs of AIDS

The first signs of AIDS in women are much easier to recognize than the manifestations of HIV infection. Immunity is weakened so much that any, even the most insignificant disease can cause complications leading to death. AIDS in women is manifested by the development of malignant tumors, constant complicated inflammatory processes in various organs, endless incessant colds and other pathologies caused by the lack of the body's ability to resist pathogens.

The mass death of immune cells leads to the fact that the woman's body cannot cope with diseases and reacts sharply to any penetration of pathogenic microflora. Any draft, contact with a person who has an infectious disease of any nature, leads to the fact that a woman becomes ill, since her immune system is not able to repel the attack of pathogens.

Signs of the development of AIDS in women are that simple and mild diseases are practically not curable. Therefore, it is so important to detect AIDS in women at an early stage and to level the consequences for the immune system. Medical science now has the ability to prevent the fatal destruction of the immune system, so people diagnosed with AIDS can live long and full lives.

Stages of AIDS development and characteristic symptoms

The first stage of the disease does not manifest itself in any way, since during this period the virus incubates. During this period, the virus is busy with active reproduction, this stage lasts from several months to a year.

At the second stage of development, which is called the primary one, the virus also continues to successfully mask itself and manifests itself only with initially severely weakened immunity. At the same time, it is still easy to confuse it with other infectious diseases. Diagnostics carried out during this period can reveal the presence of a virus, since during this period the body begins to actively produce antibodies, that is, the immune system works and tries to cope with pathogens.

Then the virus goes into a stage called secondary. As a rule, this period of development of the disease lasts about five years. This stage is characterized by external manifestations that can be subjected to conscious analysis: at this stage, a woman is most often able to suspect the disease and take tests. The disease is manifested by frequent colds, regular violation of bowel movements. Also characteristic are such manifestations of the disease as an increase in lymph nodes, with palpation, an increase in the liver, pancreas and spleen is felt.

In the next phase, the disease is already felt by acute manifestations. HIV infection, which manifests itself at this stage, causes the development of secondary infections, as well as various oncological diseases, provokes the growth of tumors. During this period, it is very important to conduct drug therapy in order to alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

At the last stage of HIV development, the infection turns into AIDS. This is an irreversible disease in which neither the local destruction of the infectious agent nor the treatment of concomitant diseases produce the desired effect. At this stage, the disease is accompanied by many concomitant diseases. Most often it is hepatitis, numerous fungal lesions of the skin and ulcers of the mucous membranes. Doctors can offer a course of maintenance drugs, stabilize the patient's condition and reduce the load on the immune system by isolating the patient from the external environment. But, unfortunately, at the moment there is no cure for AIDS.