The earliest stage of HIV is called acute HIV infection, which typically begins within 2 to 4 weeks after exposure to the virus. During this time, the immune system reacts strongly to the virus, which can cause flu-like symptoms in roughly 50% to 90% of people. Some people, however, experience no symptoms at all during this Show Full Answer
The earliest stage of HIV is called acute HIV infection, which typically begins within 2 to 4 weeks after exposure to the virus. During this time, the immune system reacts strongly to the virus, which can cause flu-like symptoms in roughly 50% to 90% of people. Some people, however, experience no symptoms at all during this stage. The most common early symptoms, listed from most to least common, include:
- Fever
- Fatigue (low energy)
- Muscle aches and joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes (may feel like hard lumps in the neck, armpits, chest, or groin)
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Rash
Some people may also experience:
- Mouth sores
- Diarrhea
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Cough (less common) These symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks before the infection moves into a longer chronic phase, which can last for years with little to no noticeable symptoms.
It's worth noting that these early symptoms can be easy to overlook or mistake for something else. If there's any concern about possible exposure to HIV, getting tested is always the best step — early diagnosis means earlier treatment, which makes a big difference in long-term health.
May 19
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