Acute stage of HIV infection. Symptoms, testing and treatment

Acute HIV infection is the early period of infection that lasts for a month after HIV infection. It is worth noting that the early period of HIV infection is a very important time in terms of the increased level of infection in the body of an infected person and the rate of damage to the immune system.

What is acute HIV infection?

Acute HIV infection, also known as early or primary retroviral infection, is a condition that develops within 2–4 weeks of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus . HIV multiplies rapidly in its early stages and weakens the immune system.

Symptoms of acute HIV infection are similar to other viral infections such as influenza or mononucleosis . For this reason, many people do not realize that they are infected with HIV . Because of this, a blood test is the best way to confirm HIV infection.

HIV attacks the body's immune cells. Without treatment, a person with HIV becomes more vulnerable to developing infections or cancers . The final stage of HIV infection is AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), when a person's immune system is severely damaged.

There is currently no effective cure for HIV infection, but with proper treatment and medical care, people with HIV have good prospects .

Symptoms of the acute stage of HIV

After becoming infected with HIV, a person may feel generally unwell. Symptoms of early HIV infection may include nonspecific, flu-like symptoms. This period is called seroconversion and usually occurs 1-4 weeks after infection. The symptomatic course of the seroconversion period occurs in 50-80% of infected people.

Many people develop symptoms of acute HIV infection 2-4 weeks after becoming infected with HIV . Symptoms can last several weeks and are similar to other viral infections such as the flu.

Symptoms of the acute stage of HIV infection may be as follows:

• mouth ulcers;
• red rash;
• aching muscle pain;
• joint pain;
• weight loss;
• fever;
• loss of coordination;
• increased fatigue;
• headache;
• swollen lymph nodes;
• a sore throat;
• diarrhea.

However, it is worth remembering that some people living with HIV have no symptoms at all.

Also, all of the symptoms listed above can be caused by other diseases not related to HIV. Therefore, you should not engage in self-diagnosis and at the first unpleasant symptoms it is better to consult a doctor.

Diagnosis of acute HIV infection

The only way to confirm a diagnosis of acute HIV infection is to undergo HIV testing . There are different types of tests, depending on how long it has been since a person was potentially exposed to the HIV virus. Typically, testing that involves a sample of fluid taken from the mouth or a blood sample .

Antibody tests are the most common. Antibody tests detect the presence of antibodies to HIV-1, which are produced by the immune system after exposure to the virus. It takes a person at least 3 weeks, and sometimes up to 12 weeks, to develop enough antibodies to be detected in this type of test.

Combination or fourth-generation tests detect both HIV-1 antibodies and p24 antigens. The p24 antigen is part of the HIV virus and can be detected in some people as early as 2 weeks after infection, in others up to 6 weeks. However, the amount of p24 antigen in the blood gradually decreases, which makes these tests unsuitable for diagnosing late stages of HIV.

Nucleic acid tests detect the HIV virus itself in the blood. The test is expensive and is usually only used when a person faces a high risk of infection or has symptoms of acute HIV infection. Nucleic acid tests can detect the HIV virus in some people as early as a week after infection.

The following figures are indicative as exact data may vary depending on tests and laboratories:

• Antibody tests: 21 to 84 days after infection;
• Fourth generation tests: from 13 to 42 days after infection;
• Nucleic acid tests: 7–28 days after infection.

However, each person reacts differently to infection, so in some cases HIV may not be detected until much later. Therefore, if an early HIV test is negative, it is recommended to take another test after the end of the window period .

Treatment of acute HIV infection

Acute HIV infection is treated with antiretroviral drugs specifically designed to treat retroviruses. People with HIV are given a combination of antiretroviral drugs called antiretroviral therapy .

Antiretroviral therapy reduces the amount of virus ( viral load ) in the body. Therapy does not completely cure HIV infection, but, with the right approach, it can slow the progression of the disease from one stage to another .

Antiretroviral therapy should be started as soon as possible after diagnosis . It is very important to take antiretroviral drugs correctly. Missing doses or stopping and starting treatment can lead to drug resistance and reduce future treatment options.

Side effects of antiretroviral therapy may cause some people to stop taking their medications. However, the long-term benefits of therapy outweigh the difficulties associated with some side effects. It is important not to stop taking your prescribed medications without talking to your doctor, who can prescribe a more convenient combination of antiretroviral drugs.

People infected with HIV become more susceptible to other diseases and infections, so doctors recommend that such people lead a healthy lifestyle, eat a healthy and balanced diet, protect their sex life and reduce stress. HIV infection often has a major emotional and psychological impact, so counseling and social support should be available throughout treatment.

Prevention of acute HIV infection

There are ways to minimize the chance of contracting HIV or transmitting the infection to others. Prevention of HIV infection includes:

• Safe sex using condoms; 
• using only sterile needles and other injection equipment;
• early diagnosis of HIV.

It is recommended that anyone who is sexually active be tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases at least once a year. Any positive results should be reported to sexual partners so that precautions can be taken. More frequent testing is recommended for anyone considered high risk, such as:

• is in a relationship with an HIV-positive person;
• has several sexual partners;
• uses shared injection equipment.