What symptoms are caused by the human immunodeficiency virus?

Many and few.: At the outset the patient infected may not even be aware of the presence of the virus, and this can persist until the immune system is badly damaged, and secondary infections or cancers occur (8-12 yrs). Sometimes, acute HIV syndrome will present as a mononucleosis-type illness with multiple symptoms. Best thing to do is get checked and tested if you feel you have been exposed.