Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that progressively destroys CD4+ lymphocytes, making the body susceptible to attack by foreign, infectious agents and numerous forms of cancer. During the initial period of infection, HIV rapidly replicates within the CD4+ T cells, weakening the immune system and causing the individual to present flu-like symptoms that include fever, fatigue, headaches, a rash and swollen lymph nodes. According to the American Association of Family Physicians, 50 to 90 percent of individuals infected with HIV experience acute retroviral syndrome within days or weeks of the initial exposure, and the symptoms typically last for one to two weeks.
Fever
During the initial period of exposure, HIV rapidly replicates within the blood, destroying CD4+ T cells and weakening the immune system. As the immune system is weakened, acute viral infection symptoms such as a fever begins to appear. According to CCSPublishing.com, 95 percent of patients develop a low-grade fever during the initial period of infection with HIV.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
During the acute phase of infection, the lymph nodes become swollen as HIV establishes itself throughout the lymph tissues, infecting white blood cells. In response to the rapid replication of the virus, the white blood cells of the immune system divide quickly in an attempt to mount a proper immune response against the virus. These rapidly-diving white blood cells make the lymph nodes appear bigger and also tender and sore. According to MayoClinic.com, swollen lymph nodes are one of the first signs of an HIV infection.
Rash
When an individual is initially infected with HIV, about 60 percent of memory CD4+ T cells are killed due to the rapid replication of the virus within these CD4+ T cells. This drastic decrease in the memory CD4+ T cells leaves the immune system susceptible to secondary infections in which a rash can result. During acute viral infection phase, about 74 percent of people develop a rash that consists of red patches of skin with small, raised bumps.
