There are four stages of HIV infection which are
incubation period, acute infection, clinical latency and AIDS.
incubation period, acute infection, clinical latency and AIDS.
1. Incubation period: This is the first stage of HIV infection. At this stage, an infected
individual shows no signs or symptoms and will also be tested negative when
screened for the virus but can serve as a source of infection to an uninfected
individual shows no signs or symptoms and will also be tested negative when
screened for the virus but can serve as a source of infection to an uninfected
2. Acute HIV Infection: The initial period following the contraction of HIV is called acute HIV,
primary HIV, or acute retroviral syndrome. Many individual develop an
influenza-like illness or a mononucleosis-like illness (abnormal high level of
mononuclear leukocyte). 2-4 weeks post exposure while others have no
significant symptoms. Most commonly symptom include fever, large tender lymph
nodes, throat inflammation, rash, headache and/or sores of the mouth and
genitals, some people also develop opportunist infections at this stage,
gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea may occur.
primary HIV, or acute retroviral syndrome. Many individual develop an
influenza-like illness or a mononucleosis-like illness (abnormal high level of
mononuclear leukocyte). 2-4 weeks post exposure while others have no
significant symptoms. Most commonly symptom include fever, large tender lymph
nodes, throat inflammation, rash, headache and/or sores of the mouth and
genitals, some people also develop opportunist infections at this stage,
gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea may occur.
3. Clinical Latency: The initial symptoms are followed
by a stage called clinical latency, asymptomatic HIV or chronic HIV. Without
treatment, this third stage of HIV infection can last for about three years
(Evian and Clive, 2006) to over 20 years (on average, about eight years). While
typically, there are few or no symptoms at first; near the end of this stage
many people experience fever, weight loss, gastrointestinal problems, muscle
pains. Between 50-70% of people also develop persistent generalized
lymphadenopathy, characterized by unexplained, non-painful enlargement of more than
one group of lymph nodes (other than in groin) for over three to six months.
by a stage called clinical latency, asymptomatic HIV or chronic HIV. Without
treatment, this third stage of HIV infection can last for about three years
(Evian and Clive, 2006) to over 20 years (on average, about eight years). While
typically, there are few or no symptoms at first; near the end of this stage
many people experience fever, weight loss, gastrointestinal problems, muscle
pains. Between 50-70% of people also develop persistent generalized
lymphadenopathy, characterized by unexplained, non-painful enlargement of more than
one group of lymph nodes (other than in groin) for over three to six months.
4. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome): AIDS is defined in terms of either a CD
T cell counts below 200cells per μl or the
occurrence of specific disease in association with an infections. In the
absence of specific treatment, around half of people infected with HIV develop
AIDS within 10 years. The most common initial condition that alert to the
presence of AIDS are pnuemocystic pneumonia, coachecia (abnormal weight loss)
in the form of HIV wasting syndrome and oesophageal candidiasis. Other common
signs include recurring respiratory tract infections. Opportunist infections
may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that are normally
controlled by the immune system. People with AIDS have increase of developing
various viral induced cancers including Kaposi’s sarcoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma,
primary central nervous system lymphoma and cervical cancer. Additionally,
people with AIDS frequently have systemic symptoms such as prolonged fever, sweat
(particularly at night), swollen lymph nodes, chills, weakness, and weight
loss. (They can also be affected by diverse psychiatric and neurological
symptoms independent of opportunistic infections and cancers (Murray et al., 2012).
T cell counts below 200cells per μl or theoccurrence of specific disease in association with an infections. In the
absence of specific treatment, around half of people infected with HIV develop
AIDS within 10 years. The most common initial condition that alert to the
presence of AIDS are pnuemocystic pneumonia, coachecia (abnormal weight loss)
in the form of HIV wasting syndrome and oesophageal candidiasis. Other common
signs include recurring respiratory tract infections. Opportunist infections
may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that are normally
controlled by the immune system. People with AIDS have increase of developing
various viral induced cancers including Kaposi’s sarcoma, Burkitt’s lymphoma,
primary central nervous system lymphoma and cervical cancer. Additionally,
people with AIDS frequently have systemic symptoms such as prolonged fever, sweat
(particularly at night), swollen lymph nodes, chills, weakness, and weight
loss. (They can also be affected by diverse psychiatric and neurological
symptoms independent of opportunistic infections and cancers (Murray et al., 2012).
References
Evian, N. and Clive, O. (2006): Primary HIV/AIDS
Care ; a Practical Guide for Primary Health Care Personnel in a Clinical and
Supportive Setting (4th ed.) Lagos: Crystal Press. pp.29.
Care ; a Practical Guide for Primary Health Care Personnel in a Clinical and
Supportive Setting (4th ed.) Lagos: Crystal Press. pp.29.
Murray, E.D. and Buttner, B.H. (2012): Depression
and Psychosis in Neurological Practice (6th ed.), London: Sage Publications.
pp 106.
and Psychosis in Neurological Practice (6th ed.), London: Sage Publications.
pp 106.
