Most people have cold symptoms about two months after being infected by HIV. Symptoms of acute HIV infection are often similar to influenza. For this reason, a person may not be aware that they are infected.

Symptoms of an initial HIV infection include:

• Body aches
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Rash
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Lymph gland swelling (generalized)

If the HIV infection is untreated, the virus starts to weaken the immune system, which is unable to fight infections properly.

In those with AIDS, infections may occur in various locations, including:

• Brain
• Eye
• Intestine
• Lungs
• Mouth
• Skin

Symptoms of AIDS infections include:

• Blurry vision
• Confusion
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Eye pain
• Fever
• Headache
• Lesion in the mouth
• Seizures
• Skin lesions:
• Kaposi's sarcoma
• Sore throat