HIV Immune System Damage: HIV is a very dangerous infection, and it becomes even more dangerous when it progresses to AIDS. Let us tell you how many years it takes.

How many years does HIV take to become AIDS?

When HIV Symptoms Start To Appear: HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus that attacks our body's immune system. It specifically targets CD4 T-cells and macrophages, which play a crucial role in protecting the body from infection. The virus gradually weakens these cells, thereby reducing the body's resistance. When the immune system weakens, the body is unable to fight even common infections. In such a situation, many rare infections and cancers can easily attack. These are called opportunistic infections, that is, infections that take advantage of opportunities.

What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. This is the most serious stage of HIV infection, when the body's immune system has been severely damaged. HIV is the cause of AIDS, and doctors diagnose it based on specific infections and the resulting immune deficiency.

Early symptoms of HIV

Most people who contract HIV initially don't realize they're infected. Some may experience flu-like symptoms in the early days, such as fever, rash, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. This phase is called seroconversion, when the body begins to produce antibodies against the virus. This usually occurs within one to two months of infection. Even if symptoms don't appear, a person infected with HIV can still transmit the virus to others. HIV can only be detected through an HIV test. Over time, HIV weakens the immune system. When immunity drops significantly, the body becomes susceptible to frequent infections, eventually leading to AIDS.

When does HIV become AIDS?

According to Unaids, AIDS is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. If left untreated, most patients develop AIDS symptoms within 8 to 10 years. AIDS is diagnosed based on specific infections and symptoms:

• Stage 1: Asymptomatic – not considered AIDS
• Stage 2: Skin or mucus problems, frequent infections like colds and coughs
• Stage 3: Diarrhea lasting more than a month, severe bacterial infection, pulmonary tuberculosis
• Stage 4: Serious conditions such as toxoplasmosis of the brain, Candida in the esophagus or lungs, Kaposi's sarcoma, etc.

All these diseases are easily cured in normal people, but can prove fatal for people with weak immune system.