Physical Effects of HIV Infection Across Disease Stages

Acute HIV (2–4 weeks post‑exposure)

• Flu‑like illness: fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, rash, myalgia, headache
• High viral load; high transmission risk

Clinical Latency (Chronic HIV)

• Often asymptomatic or mild persistent generalized lymphadenopathy
• Without ART, CD4 count gradually declines over years

AIDS (Advanced HIV, CD4 <200 cells/µL or AIDS‑defining illness)

• Opportunistic infections: Pneumocystis pneumonia, TB, toxoplasmosis, CMV, MAC
• Malignancies: Kaposi sarcoma, lymphoma, invasive cervical cancer
• Wasting syndrome, HIV‑associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND)

Pathogenesis

HIV destroys CD4+ T‑helper cells, crippling cell‑mediated immunity. Effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses viral replication, preserves immune function, and prevents progression. Early diagnosis and treatment yield near‑normal life expectancy.