Early symptomatic HIV infection

Definition

Early symptomatic HIV infection is a stage of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus when symptoms are present but AIDS has not yet developed.

See also:

• Acute HIV infection
• Asymptomatic HIV infection
• HIV infection

Alternative Names

AIDS-related complex - ARC; Chronic symptomatic HIV infection

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Early symptomatic HIV infection has signs and symptoms typical of HIV infection but not full-blown AIDS. The onset of symptoms signals the transition from asymptomatic HIV infection to HIV disease.

At this early stage of HIV infection, the person does not have signs or symptoms of AIDS such as opportunistic infections, certain cancers, or a CD4 count of less than 200.

Risk factors for HIV infection are:

• Being born to an HIV-positive mother
• Getting a blood transfusion or blood components
• Intravenous drug use
• Sexual contact with an infected partner in which there is an exchange of semen or vaginal fluids

Symptoms

• Diarrhea that persists
• Excessive sweating, night sweats
• Fatigue that persists
• Fever that persists
• General feeling of discomfort, illness, or lack of well-being
• Herpes zoster infections that keep coming back
• Joint pain
• Mouth disorders
  • Gingivitis
  • Oral hairy leukoplakia of tongue, caused by a viral infection
  • Oral thrush
• Pain, loss of sensation, and inability to control muscles (peripheral neuropathy)
• Skin disorders
  • Fungal infection of the skin or nails
  • Molluscum contagiosum
  • Seborrheic dermatitis
• Swollen lymph glands
• Weight loss

Signs and tests

The patient may have signs of a bleeding disorder in which there aren't enough platelets in the blood (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura).

In females, a Pap smear may reveal precancerous cells of the cervix.

The HIV ELISA/Western blot will be positive for HIV antibodies.

The following lab tests may be done to see how the immune system is working:

• CD4 lymphocyte count
• Complete blood count
• Platelet count
• Skin test anergy
• White blood cell count