Question
What is seroconversion and what are the symptoms?
9 February 2008 • Related: All topics, General, Newly diagnosed
Answer
HIV seroconversion is the time in which a person develops antibodies for HIV but does not yet test positive on an HIV antibody test. The word just means that your ’serostatus’ is converting from being HIV antibody negative to HIV antibody positive.
Seroconversion usually occur 1-3 weeks after infection. Sometimes symptoms can occur after a few days. In a few people there might be a delay of several several months.
Symptoms
The symptoms of HIV seroconversion resemble those of a common cold or flu. These early symptoms can also be similar to symptoms of other sexually transmitted diseases. Stress and anxiety can also produce symptoms in a few people even though they are not infected with HIV.
The most common symptoms include:
- fatigue (tiredness)
- fever (high temperature)
- sore throat
- rash
- headache
- loss of appetite
- aching muscles and joints
- swollen lymph glands
Seroconversion involves several symptoms that all start at the same time. Only having one or two of these symptoms is unlikely to be HIV.
These symptoms are not a reliable way of diagnosing HIV infection.
Firstly, 20% of people who become infected with HIV have no symptoms. Secondly, none of the symptoms listed above, on their own, are an indication of HIV.
However, if you get several of these symptoms at the same time AND you have had a recent risk of exposure to HIV, then this MAY be considered an indication that you have been infected.
The only way to know if you are HIV-positive is through an HIV test. More information on tests is at this link.
If you have recently been exposed to HIV, or think you may have been exposed to HIV, then contact a doctor or sexual health clinic to talk about whether testing for HIV is appropriate.
Answer: Simon Collins
Comments
abduselam • 9 February 2008 5:07 pm
Can lymph nodes enlarge without any cause?
Also, how many weeks does the longest seroconversion last and why can it last a long time?
Simon Collins • 11 February 2008 12:56 pm
Lymph nodes enlarge because your immune cells in the lymph nodes are responding to an infection. The infection does not have to be HIV.
Seroconversion, in rare cases, can last many months, although if this was the case this would be a reason to start treatment.
Most people only have symptoms for a week or two, or they have no symptoms at all.
mel • 18 September 2008 4:12 am
I am a registered nurse. On April 2 2008 I entered into a patient’s room who was ES AIDS; the patient died within one week. A follow nurse had just administered meds via patient’s peg tube when I entered room. About 10-12 meds. She was flushing tube with water and tube was clogged. She pulled back on syringe, then pushed syringe, then syringe came off of peg tube and splattered in my face on other side of bed. some landed on my left eyelid and various spots on my face. I honestly believe there was no blood. It was just water & I don’t think it entered any mucous membrane. I immediately went to restroom and splashed my face with water. I was taken to eyewash station and then started PEP Combivir. Within 48 hours, I begin to have sharp shooting pains on right side of back of my head & neck. The next day, sharp shooting pains progressed to the left side of back of head & neck. Within days, the same pains affected by entire neck, clavicle area, axilla, inner aspect of elbows. Then within couple of weeks, my groins, and also the bend of my knees. It was as if it was draining and descending; going from my left side to my right side of my body. This continued like this for about 3 to 3 1/2 weeks. I finished Combivir at 4 weeks. I experienced about 2 nights of waking up in a sweat during this time. I tested neg at 6 wks & 3 months. It took several months for the sharp pains to completely stop. Actually, sometimes I still may have a pain, especially when I get stressed. All healthcare professionals have told me it was the medicine causing all of this. But then in July, which would be the 4th month after exposure, I had a really bad vaginal yeast infection that took two treatments and at the time I noticed a raw spot by my rectum. Then I got an ulcer in my mouth…two within a couple of weeks. I had 3 sores on my hard and soft palate…not at same time but back to back…it feel like when u burn the roof of your mouth but I actually didn’t. I had a sore throat, that did not feel like post nasal drip…but no cough….this lasted about a couple of weeks. Then to top it off….I had gone to beach & got sunburned…not too bad…but stomach and chest was very sensitive. The next day back from beach, I had to go out of town for work. Stayed in a hotel. Went out to hot tub. did not exposure entire body but only legs from knees down to water. However I got very hot and sweaty. Got up next morning with a rash on stomach and chest. It itched like crazy on my stomach. Had one small spot on my face, couple on my back, arms, and legs. I kept telling myself…its a heat rash…its bedbugs! anything ….but it’s always in back of head I’ve got it! I will be going to my 6 month test in a couple of weeks. I am so scared that I had a late reaction cause I took the antiviral drugs. but then I look at how I became exposed….and I think …theres no way I could have been exposured…there was no blood…it was water….and I don’t think it got in my eye. Please help my anxieties. Please give me some advice. Thank you
Svilen Konov • 22 September 2008 1:50 pm
Goodness me. I would strongly suggest you contact a clinical psychologist. These anxieties may proove more detrimental to your health than a possible HIV the way it goes. Then, the chances of you being infected via the route you described are almost non-existent and you as a medical professional know that. I am sure everything will be fine.