What symptoms might someone experience during the first week of HIV infection?
During the first week after HIV infection, many people may not notice any symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they typically start within two to four weeks of infection, though they can occasionally begin as early as the first week.
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What symptoms might someone experience during the first week of HIV infection?
During the first week after HIV infection, many people may not notice any symptoms at all. When symptoms do appear, they typically start within two to four weeks of infection, though they can occasionally begin as early as the first week.
If symptoms develop during this early period, they're usually flu-like and may include:
* Fever (often 100-104°F)
* Fatigue or low energy
* Muscle aches and joint pain
* Swollen lymph nodes
* Headache
* Sore throat
* Rash
It's important to know that approximately 10 to 60 percent of people with early HIV infection don't experience any symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they typically last from a few days to several weeks.
These early symptoms happen because your immune system is reacting to the virus. However, they're nonspecific, meaning they can also occur with many other conditions like the flu or other viral infections.
If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, testing is important even if you don't have symptoms, as the virus may not be detectable immediately after infection.
March 22
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