When Do the First Symptoms of HIV Occur?

It was estimated that by the end of 2009, nearly 3.53 million people were living with HIV. As the numbers climb, people are becoming more aware of how quickly HIV can spread. Understanding the early symptoms caused by HIV can help in successful prevention and treatment. 

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus, commonly abbreviated HIV, destroys the immune system by attacking the cells necessary to fight off illness. It can exist for years in body undetected before it develops to AIDS. Early symptoms of HIV can include weight loss, fever, diarrhea, rash, fatigue, headache, sore throat, nausea, weight loss, joint pain and a host of others. 

Upon exposure to HIV, the body starts producing HIV antibodies with symptoms surfacing as early as two to four weeks. The onset of these symptoms are not usually severe in nature and are often times ignored. In the beginning, many even go away and reappear at different intervals being considered flu-like illnesses by some. 

There are stages associated with the HIV virus, and depending on which particular stage an individual may be in after exposure determines how soon and how long these symptoms occur. However, the initial symptoms can last weeks. Severe symptoms of those infected with HIV won't occur until years after exposure. Early detection of HIV starts getting tested, especially when the symptoms seem to mimic flu-like viruses.

Because very many people experience no symptoms and those that do find them identical to other medical ailments, testing is the only way to confirm the result.