Question
What are the stages of HIV infection?
Answer
- Acute HIV Infection (weeks 2-4 post-infection):
- Develop flu-like symptoms; “worst flu ever”
- Large amounts of HIV in the blood and immune system
- Greatest transmission risk
- Chronic HIV Infection:
- HIV reproduces at low levels
- People may be asymptomatic but still contagious
- With proper treatment – life expectancy = general population
An acute HIV infection is about two to four weeks post-infection. People typically say they have flu-like symptoms. There are large amounts of HIV in the blood and immune system during that time, and they are at the most significant transmission risk.
Chronic HIV infection is where HIV reproduces at low levels. People may be asymptomatic but still contagious. With proper treatment, life expectancy in the general population improves.
- AIDS – Final stage of HIV
- CD4+ count = less than 200 cells/mm3
- HIV has destroyed immune system
- The body can’t fight off opportunistic illnesses such as pneumonia and cancer --- cause of AIDS-related death
- Life expectancy without treatment = 3 years
The final stage of HIV, if it progresses to this, is when the CD4 count is less than 200 cells per mm3. HIV has destroyed the immune system, and the person's body cannot fight off opportunistic illnesses such as pneumonia and cancer, which is a significant cause of AIDS-related death. Life expectancy without treatment is three years.
You may have heard of something called U equals U. This means "undetectable equals untransmissable." Researchers have found that once you are undetectable, you cannot transmit HIV. The global HIV goal is to have everyone who has HIV become undetectable through medication to decrease transmission. What will that mean? If we get everyone the HIV medication they need, HIV transmission can hopefully stop.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, HIV Education for Respiratory Therapists, presented by Sara Pullen, PT, DPT, MPH, CHES.
