HIV-related symptoms

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General symptoms of HIV
Non-AIDS defining opportunistic infections

General symptoms of HIV

When you have HIV, your body is in a constant fight against the virus and so you may have some symptoms similar to those you get when your body fights any other virus. It is difficult to distinguish between symptoms of HIV infection and other day to day minor illnesses.

However, if you do develop any symptoms that don’t get better after a few days, especially if you have a low CD4 count, then it’s a good idea to see your GP (if you have told them you have HIV) or your HIV doctor as soon as you can.

Below are some of the symptoms related to HIV that you may occasionally experience:

Fatigue – your body’s fight against HIV can sometimes leave you feeling tired and lacking energy. Fatigue is not normally something to worry about but if it is concerning you speak to your doctor.

Night sweats – night sweats are not uncommon. They are normally nothing to worry about, especially if they are intermittent, and are more of an inconvenience than anything else. However they can also be a sign that your body is fighting another infection.

Fever – fever is a rise in your body temperature which in normal conditions is 36.5 to 37.5 °C. Fever is caused by your white blood cells multiplying and attacking an infection.

Cough or chest problems – problems with your chest could simply be due to a cold or flu or other factors such as smoking. However, if you have chest problems that don’t clear up quickly or become more severe you should go to see your HIV doctor straight away as chest problems can be a sign of more serious conditions that people with HIV can be vulnerable to.

Skin problems – dry skin, occasional rashes and other skin problems are not uncommon in people with HIV. Skin rashes that are severe or don’t clear up could be a sign of an allergy, such as an allergy to anti-HIV drugs, and should always be checked out. Dark or differently coloured patches that appear on the skin should always be checked out, as they could be a sign of an AIDS defining illness called KS.

Headaches – headaches are usually nothing to worry about, but could be a sign of side effects from anti-HIV drugs or more serious conditions. If you have problems with headaches or dizziness that don’t clear up with normal painkillers, or last for more than a few days, then go and see your doctor straight away.

Digestive problems – stomach problems or digestive problems, such as ulcers, diarrhoea, constipation and nausea can be more common in people with HIV. Often these are due to side effects of anti-HIV drugs.

Nerve pain – pain in the hands and/or feet can be a sign of damage to your nerve endings. This is a condition called peripheral neuropathy and is usually caused by certain anti-HIV drugs, although HIV itself can be the cause. We talk about peripheral neuropathy in the section on HIV treatment.

It’s important to note here that most of these symptoms can be due to the side effects of certain anti-HIV drugs. If you are taking anti-HIV drugs and you experience any of these symptoms it’s a good idea to go and see your HIV doctor to make sure nothing serious is going on. This is especially true if you recently started taking anti-HIV drugs, or changed the anti-HIV drugs you are taking.

We talk more about the side effects of anti-HIV drugs in the section on HIV treatment.

Non-AIDS defining opportunistic infections

There are some opportunistic infections that people with HIV can get even if your CD4 count is still high enough for you not to be considered as having AIDS. These are known as non-AIDS defining opportunistic infections and are more likely to occur the lower your CD4 count becomes. We talk about what opportunistic infections are in the section on how HIV works.

Some non-AIDS defining opportunistic infections can go on to develop into AIDS defining illnesses if not treated or if your CD4 count continues to fall. We talk about these in the next section on AIDS defining illnesses.

Certain mouth problems are more common in people with HIV with low CD4 counts. Thrush, for example, causes painful white patches in the mouth but is easily treated with anti-fungal drugs

Another condition known as oral hairy leukoplakia, or OHL, also causes white patches in the mouth usually seen as ridges along the side of the tongue. This can also be quite painful but can be treated with Aciclovir.

If you have herpes, a flare-up is more likely to occur when your CD4 count is low. As with OHL, the blisters can be treated with Aciclovir.

Mouth ulcers can also be more common. A good mouthwash can help to manage these. Your dentist should be able to advise you about any oral problems you may be experiencing, especially if he or she knows you have HIV.

Certain eye problems can also occur if you have a low CD4 count. Pain, seeing spots, blurred vision and blind spots can be a sign of certain infections and should be checked out by your doctor straight away.

It’s important to remember that all of these conditions normally clear up once your CD4 count rises again after starting anti-HIV treatment, or changing to a combination that works better for you.

We talk more about treatments for HIV in the section on HIV treatment.