Within the first few days and weeks of HIV infection, many people suffer from a condition known as acute HIV infection. As HIV invades the blood it may produce flu-like symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache and fatigue. Since a traditional HIV test does not detect HIV-fighting antibodies for up to six months after infection, people who have acute HIV infection often have "negative" HIV test results. Thus, if you exhibit symptoms of acute HIV infection and have engaged in any high-risk behavior (such as unprotected sex or sharing needles), you should get a "viral load test" that will measure the actual virus in your body rather than the HIV-fighting antibodies.
Symptoms
Acute HIV often mimics other illnesses such as mononucleosis or influenza. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, between 80 and 90 percent of patients with acute HIV reported fever during a 1998 study. The same study showed that 70 to 90 percent of patients experienced fatigue and between 40 and 80 percent developed a rash. Other common acute HIV symptoms include night sweats, headache, nausea, swollen lymph glands and pharyngitis.
Ignoring the Warning Signs
Since symptoms like fever and nights sweats occur with many other illnesses, patients often ignore them or visit a physician for flu or mononucleosis treatment. Even those who suspect HIV are often falsely reassured by negative HIV tests. Thus, many patients will go home, rest and wait out the illness. Since the symptoms of acute HIV infection usually go away with time, you may continue to believe you are suffering from a common bug.
Differential Diagnosis
If you visit your doctor with symptoms indicative of diseases such as influenza or mononucleosis, your doctor will probably order tests to confirm the disease. As your doctor compares his findings with other possible conditions, make sure you honestly divulge your recent personal history. While you may not recognize any of your actions as high-risk for HIV, your doctor may. If your doctor suspects acute HIV infection, make sure to inquire about the viral load test. Unlike the traditional HIV test, the viral load test detects the presence of the actual HIV virus in your body through methods such as the branched DNA test or the polymerase chain reaction test.
Considerations
One of the biggest dangers of acute HIV infection is that once the initial symptoms decrease, you may not experience any additional symptoms for up to 10 years. During that time, HIV's silent effect on your body may progress and increase your chances of developing full-blown AIDS. To ensure that you are HIV-free, have your doctor give you a traditional HIV test six months to a year after you exhibit any acute HIV symptoms, when your HIV-fighting antibodies are likely to become detectable.
Prevention/Solution
Your best bet to avoid acute HIV, and potential subsequent complications like early symptomatic HIV and AIDS, is to protect yourself from HIV transmission in the first place. If you are sexually active, always engage in protected sex (even oral sex). Do not share needles for intravenous drug use or steroid injection. Only get tattoos and piercings at reputable establishments that use clean needles and properly sterilize all equipment.
If you suspect you have acute HIV infection, visit a doctor immediately for diagnosis. According to the National Institutes of Health, some researchers believe that HIV medications may temper your body's development of HIV when taken during the early stages of the disease.
