Stages of HIV infection

With treatment, the course of disease is not always toward progression. Individuals can be diagnosed at all stages and many respond well to treatment. Viral loads can be reduced for indefinite amounts of time and CD4 counts also rise, as well as fall. For some people, their condition can remain stable over time and earlier problems or opportunistic infections may abate. The timing and occurrence of opportunistic infections, the response of the immune system, and the response to treatment are highly individual.