Appearances can be deceiving, and such is the case with HIV. Early symptoms of HIV are very similar to other illnesses effects, which makes it difficult to diagnose HIV infection. Most people do not experience any symptoms right after becoming infected. The first symptoms that show up occur about 90 days after infection, and appear similar to those of the flu, including the following:

	Fever
	Headaches
	Loss of energy
	Swollen lymph glands

During this period, the infected human is very liable to transmit the virus. Becuase these are only sustained for a few weeks, they are usually mistaken for a flu or other infection. AIDS does not set in for 10 years, and during this time the virus exterminates helper T cells in large amounts without causing many symptoms. Some that may occur here are:

	Tiredness
	Loss of body weight
	The nerve disease known as shingles
	Short term forgetfulness

The most common symptoms, however, are fevers and an abnormal body heat. Finally, when the infection is advanced to the state of AIDS, more drastic symptoms are developed.

	Shortness of breath
	Seizures
	Difficulty swallowing
	Advanced disorientation and memory loss
	Extreme diarrhea
	High temperatures
	Some blinding
	Nausea
	Extreme loss of energy
	Going into a coma

Of course, in this stage of the disease, the victim must also struggle with dangerous outside infections that their body is unable to handle.