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Acute HIV infection

1. Also known as primary HIV infection or acute retroviral syndrome.
   The period of rapid HIV replication that occurs 2 to 4 weeks after infection by HIV.
   Acute HIV infection is characterized by a drop in CD4 cell counts and an increase in HIV levels in the blood.
   Some, but not all, individuals experience flu-like symptoms during this period of infection. These symptoms, collectively known as AIDS-related complex, can include fever, inflamed lymph nodes, sore throat, and rash. These symptoms may last from a few days to 4 weeks and then go away.

   Reference: AIDSinfo. Glossary. Internet. Accessed August 7, 2009. Available at http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/glossary/GlossaryDataCenterPage.aspx?fromLetter=A

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