HIV/AIDS infection happens in three stages that get worse over time, eventually weakening and overpowering the immune system. They are: Stage One: Acute HIV Infection Symptoms. After contracting HIV, your immune system will start to react within 2-6 weeks, producing various symptoms. The symptoms are similar to those of a viral illness, including headache, fatigue, aching muscles, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, rash, fever, ulcers, headache, and other neurological signs. It’s important to get tested as soon as possible if you have, or think you may have, come into contact with someone with HIV. Stage Two: Clinical Latency Symptoms. Your immune system will eventually lose its battle with HIV, causing the flu-like symptoms to dissipate. This is known as the asymptomatic period or chronic HIV infection. During this stage, untreated HIV will start attacking vital CD4 cells and destroying your immune system, but you won’t present any symptoms. Stage Three: AIDS Symptoms. AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection, occurring when your CD4 T-cell number drops below 200 and your immune system is severely damaged. Due to your weakened immunity, you’ll start to get infections that are more frequent, severe, and long-lasting. You will likely start to notice symptoms such as being tired all the time, swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, long-lasting fever, unexplained weight loss, purple skin spots that don’t go away, shortness of breath, chronic diarrhea, yeast infections, unexplained bruising or bleeding, memory loss, confusion, balance problems, behavior changes, seizures, and vision changes. Without adequate treatment, those with AIDS have a life expectancy of about 3 years. With treatment, however, those with HIV/AIDS can continue to live healthy and enriching lives. It’s important to start HIV drugs as soon as possible, to take them as prescribed by your doctor, and to maintain healthy lifestyle habits to sustain a high quality of life and prevent the disease from spreading.