Symptoms of HIV by Stage

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Updated December 22, 2014.

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The symptomatology of HIV is diverse and varies with the stage of infection. Many of the symptoms related to early infection are due to body's immediate response to the virus itself, wherein the immune system is activated in the presence of a foreign agent. The symptoms are, therefore, a result of the inflammation that occurs when the body actively fights an infection.

The symptoms of later-stage infection are different. These occur when HIV gradually deteriorates the body's immune response, reducing its ability to fight outside infection. The lower the immune response, the greater the risk (and range) of potential infections.

The symptoms are, therefore, "HIV-related"—meaning that, while HIV provides the opportunity for infections to develop, the symptoms are the result of a specific "opportunistic" infection.

Incubation Period

When a person is infected with HIV, the virus goes through an incubation period of between one to three weeks. During this time, there are generally high levels of virus since the body has yet to mount an adequate defense (in the way of antibodies) to curb the immediate infection.

Because the HIV ELISA test relies on the presence of antibodies to confirm infection, this stage is also known as the "window period." If a test is performed at this stage, the lack of antibodies could effect a false negative result.

Acute Seroconversion

The incubation period is immediately followed by "acute seroconversggloss.htm" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dation," wherein the body's immune defenses are fully activated and in combat with the infecting virus. The symptoms that accompany seroconversion can be mild and easily mistaken for the flu or mono. For some, there are no symptoms. For others, however, the effects can be far more pronounced and long-lasting.

At least half of those infected will experience the following symptoms during acute seroconversion:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Night sweats
  • Malaise (a vague feeling of body discomfort or uneasiness)
  • Myalgia (a generalized, muscular ache or pain)
  • Rash (eczema-like in appearance and usually distributed around the upper parts of the body and/or palms of the hands)

Other symptoms can include sore throat, mouth/esophageal sores, arthralgia (joint pain), and arthralgia (joint pain), and lymphadenopathy (swelling of the lymph glands). Most of these symptoms will resolve within a week to a month on average, while lymphadenopathy can persist in some for years. (While distressing, it's important to note that this is most often the sign of a robust immune response, rather than an immune failure.)

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

AIDS (or acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the stage in infection where the body's immune system is compromised, allowing for the development of infections that the body could otherwise prevent. Initially implemented as a means for disease surveillance, the AIDS classification is today defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an HIV-infected person with

  • a CD4 count of under 200 cells per microliter (µL), and/or;
  • "certain HIV-related conditions and symptoms."

These "certain" conditions are comprised of specific pulmonary, neurological and gastrointestinal diseases, as well as cancers and other illnesses that can affect those with com HIV-related conditions and symptoms."

These "certain" conditions are comprised of specific pulmonary, neurological and gastrointespromised immune systems. There are currently just over 25 AIDS-defining opportunistic conditions that can occur at various stages in infection, often well above the CD4 threshold of 200 cells/µL.

Without antiretroviral treatment, people with an AIDS diagnosis generally survive for around three years on average.

Opportunistic Infections by CD4 Count

As a guideline, people with CD4 counts of over 500 are less prone to infection. Normal CD4s range anywhere from between 500 to 1600 cells/µL. Once the number falls below 500, the likelihood of infection increases as immune barriers are gradually depleted.

CD4 count between 500 to 250 cells/µL:

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