Chronic symptomatic HIV infection

Alternative names:

middle stage HIV disease, AIDS-related complex (ARC), chronic symptomatic HIV infection

Definition:

Early symptomatic HIV infection - the early stage of the viral infection caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) before the development of AIDS.

A chronic viral infection caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) that gradually destroys the immune system and progresses to advanced HIV diseases or AIDS.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Early symptomatic HIV infection is characterized by signs and symptoms typical of HIV infection that are not AIDS-defining. These symptoms are usually not present in acute or asymptomatic HIV infection. The onset of these symptoms signals the transition from HIV infection to HIV disease. However, at this stage of HIV infection, the person does not have AIDS-defining diseases of immune deficiency, such as opportunistic infections and/or certain cancers or a CD4 count of less than 200. Risk factors for HIV infection are sexual contact with an infected sexual partner that includes exchange of semen or vaginal secretions, intravenous drug use, receipt of blood transfusion or blood components, or being born to an HIV-positive mother.

Update Date: 04/01/00

Updated By: Luis A. Diaz, Jr. M.D., Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, VeriMed Health Network