HIV/AIDS

You may have heard about HIV and AIDS, but many people don't know the basic facts about them.

HIV causes AIDS. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It breaks down the immune system — our body's protection against disease. HIV causes people to become sick with infections that normally wouldn't affect them.

AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease.

In the United States, more than 980,000 cases of AIDS have been reported to the government. About 40,000 women and men in the United States get HIV each year.

Some people develop HIV symptoms shortly after being infected. But it usually takes more than 10 years.

There are several stages of HIV disease. The first HIV symptoms may include swollen glands in the throat, armpit, or groin. Other early HIV symptoms include slight fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms may last for only a few weeks. Then there are usually no HIV symptoms for many years. That is why it can be hard to know if you have HIV.

AIDS symptoms appear in the most advanced stage of HIV disease. In addition to a badly damaged immune system, a person with AIDS may also have

• thrush — a thick, whitish coating of the tongue or mouth that is caused by a yeast infection and sometimes accompanied by a sore throat
• severe or recurring vaginal yeast infections
• chronic pelvic inflammatory disease 
• severe and frequent infections
• periods of extreme and unexplained tiredness that may be combined with headaches, lightheadedness, and/or dizziness
• quick loss of more than 10 pounds of weight that is not due to increased physical exercise or dieting
• bruising more easily than normal
• long periods of frequent diarrhea
• frequent fevers and/or night sweats
• swelling or hardening of glands located in the throat, armpit, or groin
• periods of persistent, deep, dry coughing
• increasing shortness of breath
• the appearance of discolored or purplish growths on the skin or inside the mouth
• unexplained bleeding from growths on the skin, from the mouth, nose, anus, or vagina, or from any opening in the body
• frequent or unusual skin rashes
• severe numbness or pain in the hands or feet, the loss of muscle control and reflex, paralysis, or loss of muscular strength
• confusion, personality change, or decreased mental abilities

SOurce:  http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids

You may have heard about HIV and AIDS, but many people don't know the basic facts about them.
HIV causes AIDS. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It breaks down the immune system — our body's protection against disease. HIV causes people to become sick with infections that normally wouldn't affect them.
AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease.
In the United States, more than 980,000 cases of AIDS have been reported to the government. About 40,000 women and men in the United States get HIV each year.
- See more at: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids#sthash.tIeDHE7L.dpuf

You may have heard about HIV and AIDS, but many people don't know the basic facts about them.
HIV causes AIDS. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It breaks down the immune system — our body's protection against disease. HIV causes people to become sick with infections that normally wouldn't affect them.
AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease.
In the United States, more than 980,000 cases of AIDS have been reported to the government. About 40,000 women and men in the United States get HIV each year.
- See more at: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids#sthash.tIeDHE7L.dpuf

You may have heard about HIV and AIDS, but many people don't know the basic facts about them.
HIV causes AIDS. HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It breaks down the immune system — our body's protection against disease. HIV causes people to become sick with infections that normally wouldn't affect them.
AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of HIV disease.
In the United States, more than 980,000 cases of AIDS have been reported to the government. About 40,000 women and men in the United States get HIV each year.
- See more at: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hiv-aids#sthash.tIeDHE7L.dpuf