At which stage of AIDS does drowsiness begin?

There is no fixed stage of AIDS that directly corresponds to somnolence; rather, drowsiness is often associated with severe immune system impairment and related complications. It is more likely to occur during the AIDS stage, although individual differences are significant—some people may experience it even in the later stages of the asymptomatic phase. A detailed analysis is as follows:

After HIV infection, the disease progresses through three stages: acute phase, asymptomatic phase, and AIDS phase. During the acute phase, the virus replicates rapidly, and some individuals may experience symptoms such as fever and sore throat. However, somnolence is not a typical symptom at this stage, and due to its short duration, it is easily overlooked. In the asymptomatic phase, viral replication stabilizes and immune function gradually declines. Most people do not experience obvious discomfort, and drowsiness is relatively rare.

When the disease progresses to the AIDS stage, there is a severe reduction in immune cells and a sharp decline in the body's resistance, making individuals susceptible to complications such as tuberculosis, Pneumocystis pneumonia, and anemia. These conditions increase the body's energy consumption and cause metabolic disturbances, leading to somnolence.

Proper antiretroviral therapy can suppress viral replication and help restore immune function, thereby alleviating or preventing symptoms such as drowsiness. Early treatment after diagnosis is essential. Maintaining regular sleep patterns, balanced nutrition, avoiding excessive fatigue, and actively monitoring one’s health status are crucial for maintaining disease stability.