Acute HIV Symptoms

Acute HIV Symptoms

A number of symptoms can be observed in the acute HIV infection stage. These symptoms usually start appearing within 2 to 4 weeks from the time of contracting the virus. The acute HIV symptoms in men and women are more or less similar. These symptoms usually resemble the symptoms of flu or mononucleosis infection. The most common early symptoms of HIV infection are

• Fever and headache
• Swollen glands or lymph nodes
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Oral thrush
• Sore throat
• Unusual skin rash
• Mouth ulcers

These early HIV symptoms can be produced by many health conditions other than acute HIV. So, it is not possible to identify the condition only on the basis of acute HIV symptoms. Rash or skin rash observed in HIV infected individuals is usually different from the skin rash that is usually caused by allergic reactions. HIV rash symptoms can be a bit similar to the rash caused by psoriasis. HIV skin rash is usually reddish or brownish in color and can develop across the body including, the genital area and anus. Now, you must be willing to know, 'how long do acute HIV symptoms last?' The early HIV symptoms usually subside within 3 to 14 days.