Question

Explain the clinical manifestation of AIDS.

Answer 1

The clinical manifestations (symptoms) of AIDS have been classified into four broad categories.

1. Initial infection with the virus and formation of antibodies, usually lasting for 2-8 weeks after initial infection. 
2. Asymptomatic carrier state in which no signs of disease, are seen. Incubation period ranges for 6 months to 10 years. Chapter 10: Human Health and Disease Std. XII Sci.: Biology 10 
3. AIDS related complex (ARC) with one or more of the following clinical signs; recurrent fever for longer than one month, fatigue, unexplained diarrhoea, night sweats, shortness of breath, loss of more than 10 per cent body weight, etc. 
4. AIDS is the end stage of HIV infection. It is characterised by life threatening opportunistic infections (like pneumonia, tuberculosis, Kaposi’s sarcoma, etc.).