What is it?
HIV seroconversion illness is the name given to a group of symptoms that can occur when someone is newly infected with HIV. At that time, HIV reproduces in some of the white blood cells called CD4 lymphocytes. When this happens, HIV antigens are made and the person's immune system launches a reaction. Antibodies to HIV begin to develop. During this immune response, symptoms can occur.
It is important to remember that virus levels are very high before antibodies to HIV are measurable in the blood through HIV-antibody tests. Someone newly infected with HIV is very infectious to others and may not know they can spread HIV.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of HIV seroconversion are not specific to HIV, meaning that the body can produce them for other reasons. They vary from person to person and range from none at all or very mild, to severe. People often describe feeling a flu-like illness that occurs about 2-4 weeks after infection.
Some people who become infected with HIV get symptoms, which generally last for about 1 or 2 weeks. Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Rash
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Feeling tired or lack of energy
- Joint or muscle pain
Notice that these symptoms are the same as for the common flu or other types of infection. There are also other less common symptoms that can be associated with HIV seroconversion - see your health care provider if you have questions about these.
If someone is experiencing these symptoms and has had a risk of contracting HIV (e.g. had sex with someone who was HIV positive, had sex with a commercial sex trade worker, had unprotected sex, or shared needles), a test for HIV antibodies may be something they want to consider.
Note: other symptoms that may be associated with HIV seroconversion include: loss of appetite, weight loss, headache, neck stiffness, mouth ulcers, thrush, throat soreness, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
What's the test like?
See HIV testing
Emotionally Surviving HIV
When people first find out they are HIV+ they feel as if it is the most difficult news they have ever heard. They don't know what to do or who to tell.
If you've just found out you're HIV+ you may want to speak to one or two close friends, friends you can trust. Many people say though that talking to another person who is HIV+ is the most helpful of all.
You might want to think twice about telling your co-workers. If you tell them and they break your trust and tell other co-workers, your working relationships and your future with your employer may be affected.
Learning more about HIV and becoming more relaxed with the diagnosis will help when you tell your family. You'll be able to answer their questions more easily and they'll see you as accepting and dealing with your HIV status.
Links
There are many excellent resources if you want information on HIV?AIDS. Some sites include:
- TheBody.com - Broad range of AIDS and HIV-related issues, including an interactive Q&A with answers from HIV and AIDS professionals. Contains a treatment overview and activist action alerts.
- Canadian HIV/AIDS Information Centre - It is a program of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
- CDC National Prevention Network - from the US Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.
- AIDS Vancouver - Pacific AIDS Resource Centre Library in Vancouver, BC.
- BC Persons with AIDS Society.
- HIV InSite - Information for teens, women, gay men and health care providers from the University of California, San Francisco. A large audio section includes a piece on how to talk to a partner about safer sex.
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