- The first stage of HIV is called acute HIV and causes flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills and fatigue.
- During phase two of HIV, the symptoms decrease and you may start to feel even better.
- In the last stage of HIV, called AIDS, the immune system is severely damaged and the body has trouble protecting itself from infections.
- Visit the Insider’s Health Reference Library for more advice.
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) occurs in three phases. It starts with flu-like symptoms and can seriously damage your immune system if left untreated.
Here’s what you need to know about the stages and symptoms of HIV and how to navigate testing and treatment.
Phase 1: Acute HIV
The first stage of HIV is the acute stage of infection. It is mostly characterized by flu-like symptoms. Not everyone will experience these symptoms and some HIV tests may even be negative.
Most people experience these flu-like symptoms about two to six weeks after being infected. These symptoms are a sign that your immune system is fighting the virus and usually lasts about one to two weeks.
Some of the symptoms you may experience are:
“Some of the most common early signs of HIV are high fever, rash, fatigue, sore throat, severe headache and muscle weakness,” said Peter Gulick, MD, a professor of medicine at Michigan State University ( MSU), College of Osteopathic Medicine, and director of the MSU HIV and Hepatitis Clinic.
It is especially important to be tested at this stage of HIV because your virus load is very high, which means that you are very contagious and can easily infect someone else with the disease.
Phase 2: Asymptomatic infection
This stage comes after the acute stage of infection and is usually called the stage of clinical latency, chronic or asymptomatic infection. At this stage of HIV, most earlier symptoms of the condition fade, and someone may begin to feel better.
This stage can last up to ten years or even longer. But although someone may not be showing symptoms at this stage, the virus is still active and spreading.
At this stage of the virus, a blood test can indicate how active the virus is and how much effect it has on your immune system. A person at this stage is also contagious. If the condition is not treated, it will continue to harm the immune system.
Stage 3: AIDS
At this stage, the virus develops into Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). If someone has AIDS, their immune system is severely damaged. This is the worst stage of HIV.
A person with HIV is also very susceptible to infections and diseases at this stage. The body cannot defend itself against opportunistic infections, including viral infections such as shingles and bacterial infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia.
People with AIDS have a very high viral load of the virus and are very contagious. At this stage without treatment, the condition can be fatal and cause death. Most people with AIDS will probably only survive 1 to 3 years if they do not have access to proper treatment.
Some common symptoms of AIDS include:
- Fever
- Recurrent cough
- Weight loss
- Sores in the mouth
- Chronic diarrhea
- Extreme fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Pneumonia
Testing and next steps
If you experience early signs of HIV or suspect you have been exposed to someone with the condition, the next step is to get tested.
“If you notice early signs of HIV or have been exposed to a person who has it, you should be tested immediately. If you are negative but continue with high-risk activities such as unprotected sex, you should be tested every three to six months. , ”Says Gulick.
You can do an HIV test at any of the following places:
- Private clinics
- Sexual health clinics
- Charity Clinics
- Family Planning Clinics
- Community Health Centers
If you are positive about HIV, you need to know that the virus can be well controlled and that you can lead a long and healthy life. If you are not sure what test to take, talk to your doctor first for a recommendation.
Treatment
HIV medication helps to reduce the viral load in your body or the amount of HIV in your blood. HIV medicine works by blocking or altering the enzymes that the virus uses to replicate itself.
Some of the treatment options approved by the FDA for HIV include:
- Protease inhibitors: It blocks the protease enzyme, which can use the virus to copy itself. Some examples include Lexiva, Norvir and Reyataz.
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs): It changes the reverse transcriptase enzyme, which HIV needs to replicate itself. Some examples include Edurant, Sustiva and Viramune.
- Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs): This block – instead of altering – the reverse transcriptase enzyme. Some examples include Epivir, Retrovir and Ziagen.
- Fusion inhibitors: Fusion inhibitors work by preventing the virus from entering your cells. The most common type is Fuzeon.
- Integrase inhibitors: It blocks the integrase enzyme, which prevents the virus from repeating itself.
- Attachment inhibitors: Attachment inhibitors work by binding to the protein on the surface of HIV. This prevents HIV from entering the cells.
Insider’s takeaway
There is currently no cure for HIV, but with the right treatment and medication, the condition can be managed well. People who have HIV and receive adequate treatment and medication can live long and healthy lives.
Watching the first signs of HIV if you suspect you are infected, and testing as early as possible, will help you better manage the condition. It is also important to take your HIV medication regularly to prevent the condition from progressing.
“Using HIV medication is a lifelong therapy. If you stop taking HIV medication, the disease will start to progress again,” says Gulick.