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EARLY
SYMPTOMS OF HIV INFECTION Symptoms
of opportunistic infections common in people with AIDS include Coughing
and shortness of breath Seizures
and lack of coordination Difficult
or painful swallowing Mental
symptoms such as confusion and forgetfulness Severe
and persistent diarrhea Fever
Vision
loss Nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting Weight
loss and extreme fatigue Severe
headaches Coma
People
with AIDS are also particularly prone to developing various cancers,
especially those caused by viruses such as Kaposi's sarcoma and cervical
cancer, or cancers of the immune system known as lymphomas. Headache
Tiredness
Enlarged
lymph nodes (glands of the immune system easily felt in the neck and groin
A small number of people first infected with HIV 10 or more years ago have not developed symptoms of AIDS. Scientists are trying to determine what factors may account for their lack of progression to AIDS, such as PREVENTION Avoid
behaviors that put you at risk of infection, such as sharing needles and
having unprotected sex. Many people infected with HIV have no symptoms.
Therefore, there is no way of knowing with certainty whether your sexual
partner is infected unless he or she has repeatedly tested negative for
the virus and has not engaged in any risky behavior. You should either
abstain from having sex or use male latex condoms or female polyurethane
condoms, which may offer partial protection, during oral, anal, or vaginal
sex. Only water-based lubricants should be used with male latex condoms. |
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