Changes

== Infection ==

== Infection ==

After exposure, the virus invades and replicates in immune cells near the site of infection.  It quickly spreads to regional lymph nodes and via the blood stream to the rest of the body.  During this stage the patient may experience ''Acute Retroviral Syndrome'', a vague flu-like illness.  Additional symtpoms include fatigue, memory loss, weight loss, ulcers, and gingivitis. Women may experience recurring yeast infections of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which may not respond to treatment.  

After exposure, the virus invades and replicates in immune cells near the site of infection.  It quickly spreads to regional lymph nodes and via the blood stream to the rest of the body.  During this stage the patient may experience ''Acute Retroviral Syndrome'', a vague flu-like illness.  Additional symptoms include fatigue, memory loss, weight loss, ulcers, and gingivitis. Women may experience recurring yeast infections of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) which may not respond to treatment.<ref>https://www.stdlabs.com/hiv#horizontalTab</ref>

The patient is often [[Asympotomatic carrier|asymptomatic]] for the first 5–10 years after infection.  By that time, untreated, progression to AIDS is inevitable, except in a small subset of patients.

The patient is often [[Asympotomatic carrier|asymptomatic]] for the first 5–10 years after infection.  By that time, untreated, progression to AIDS is inevitable, except in a small subset of patients.