Malaise
Swollen lymph glands
Development of HIV-specific antibodies (seroconversion) is accompanied by a flulike syndrome called acute retroviral syndrome. This syndrome includes malaise, swollen lymph glands, fever, sore throat, headache, nausea, diarrhea, muscle/joint pain, or a diffuse rash. It occurs one to three weeks after infection and may continue for several months. Acute retroviral syndrome over time is followed by the early-chronic, intermediate-chronic, and late-chronic stages of HIV infection. Development of HIV-specific antibodies, accompanied by flulike syndrome, includes swollen lymph glands. Confusion is associated with the intermediate-chronic and late-chronic stages of HIV infection when the individual develops AIDS-dementia complex or opportunistic infection that affects the neurological system. Diarrhea, not constipation, is associated with this syndrome. Oropharyngeal candidiasis occurs during the intermediate-chronic stage of HIV infection.
Has a CD4+ T lymphocyte level of less than 200 cells/µL.
AIDS is diagnosed when an individual with HIV develops one of the following: a CD4+ T lymphocyte level of less than 200 cells/µL, wasting syndrome, dementia, one of the listed opportunistic cancers (e.g., Kaposi sarcoma [KS], Burkitt lymphoma), or one of the listed opportunistic infections (e.g., Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, Mycobacterium tuberculosis). The development of HIV-specific antibodies (seroconversion), accompanied by acute retroviral syndrome (flu-like syndrome with fever, swollen lymph glands, headache, malaise, nausea, diarrhea, diffuse rash, joint and muscle pain), one to three weeks after exposure to HIV reflects acquisition of the virus, not the development of AIDS. A client who is HIV positive is capable of transmitting the virus with or without the diagnosis of AIDS.
Candida albicans.
White patchy plaques on the oral mucosa would most likely be a result of C. albicans, a yeastlike fungal infection. This condition is also known as "thrush." Cytomegalovirus may cause a serious viral infection in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), resulting in retinal, gastrointestinal, and pulmonary manifestations. Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by inhalation of spores of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum and is characterized by fever, malaise, cough, and lymphadenopathy. Human papillomavirus typically manifests as warts on the hands and feet, as well as mucous membrane lesions of the oral, anal, and genital cavities. It may be transmitted without the presence of warts through body fluids, with some forms associated with cancerous and precancerous conditions.
Blood; Semen.
HIV, which is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is transmitted through infected blood, semen, and bloody bodily fluids. HIV is not spread casually. Although HIV may be found in other bodily secretions, including feces, urine, sweat, tears, saliva, sputum, and emesis, the amount of virus is likely not sufficient enough to be transmitted.