acute HIV infection

Definition

The flu-like syndrome lasting 4 to 6 weeks during the rapid viral replication immediately after a person contracts HIV. This syndrome, resembling mononucleosis and other viral flu syndromes, affects 30 to 60% of individuals and occurs 2 to 4 weeks after infection; it is characterized by fever, malaise, sore throat, swollen glands, headache, myalgia, and sometimes skin rash; it precedes seroconversion (converting from HIV negative to HIV positive).

Synonym: acute infection, primary HIV infection.