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Early HIV Information

Acute HIV infection and asymptomatic HIV are the first two stages of HIV-disease, following soon after infection. The symptoms of these stages do not plainly indicate a diagnosis of HIV, so it is important to be tested to know one's status after possible exposure to the virus.

  1. Transmission

    • In order to be infected with HIV, an uninfected person must be exposed to the blood, semen, vaginal secretions or breast milk of an infected person. Secondly, the virus must cross into the uninfected person's bloodstream which, in adults, generally occurs through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex or through sharing equipment for injection-drug use (Avert.org).

    Acute HIV Infection: Time Frame

    • The symptoms of first-stage HIV-disease occur within two to four weeks of contracting the virus and clear up within one month (HIV-Symptoms.info). Some people do not develop symptoms at this time.

    Acute HIV Infection: Symptoms

    • The symptoms of acute HIV infection are flu-like and include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and limb pain, sore throat, swollen glands, digestive problems and a rash on the skin (HIV-Symptoms.info).

    Asymptomatic HIV

    • Directly after the symptoms of acute HIV go away, HIV enters its longest stage, the asymptomatic. There are no symptoms to indicate the presence of HIV during this time, which lasts for about ten years.

    Testing

    • People who believe they have possibly contracted HIV should be tested. It may take between three and six months for HIV to show up on tests; tests done before this time will not show a true positive. See Resources below to locate a testing center.

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