STAGES OF HIV INFECTION
(assuming no treatment)

There are four stages of HIV and as with all illnesses, how it progresses, how long it takes and the affect it has on the individual depends on a number of factors for example, general health, lifestyle, diet etc.

Stage 1: INFECTION

HIV quickly replicates in the body after infection. Some people develop short lived flu-like symptoms for example, headaches, fever, sore throat and a rash within days to weeks after infection.

During this time the immune system reacts to the virus by developing antibodies – this is referred to as ‘sero-conversion’.

Stage 2: ASYMPTOMATIC

As the name suggests, this stage of HIV infection does not cause outward signs or symptoms.
A person may look and feel well but HIV is continuing to weaken their immune system.

This stage may last several years (an average of 8 to 10 years) and without a HIV test many people do not know they are infected.

Stage 3: SYMPTOMATIC

Over time the immune system becomes damaged and weakened by HIV and symptoms develop. Initially they can be mild but they do worsen, symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, mouth ulcers, thrush and severe diarrhoea.

The symptoms are caused by the emergence of opportunistic infections; they are referred to as opportunistic infections because they take advantage of a person’s weakened immune system.

Some examples of opportunistic infections are Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), toxoplasmosis, TB and kaposi sarcoma.

Stage 4: AIDS/PROGRESSION OF HIV TO AIDS

There is no single test for AIDS; healthcare professionals will look at a variety of symptoms including the CD4 count, the viral load and the presence of opportunistic infections in order to make an AIDS diagnosis.

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