What Is Acute HIV Infection?
Acute HIV infection is a condition that develops within two to four weeks after someone is infected with HIV. Acute HIV infection is also known as primary HIV infection or acute retroviral syndrome. It is the primary stage of infection and lasts until the body has created antibodies against HIV. During this first stage of infection, the virus is duplicating at a rapid rate. Unlike other viruses, which the body's immune system can normally fight off, HIV can't be eliminated by the immune system. This means the virus can live in your body for extended periods of time. As HIV progresses, the virus attacks and destroys immune cells, leaving the immune system unable to fight off other diseases and infections. When this happens, the HIV infection can lead to the development of AIDS. Acute HIV is contagious. However, most people with acute HIV infection don't even know they're infected. This may be because they aren't tested for HIV on a regular basis, or because standard HIV antibody tests aren't always able to detect this stage of infection.
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