During the initial stages of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, many patients do not experience symptoms. Several months after contracting HIV, the individual may have a fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, malaise and rashes. At this point, a blood test will reveal HIV antibodies. During the late stages of HIV, the individual will usually have the aforementioned symptoms plus bruises, mouth lesions, night sweats, a cough, diarrhea and numb or tingling extremities.