The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, infected 50,000 people in the United States in 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV steadily disables the body's immune system so it is no longer able to combat infections. When the body's immune system has become sufficiently compromised, the condition designated the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, has developed. This is not instantaneous. AIDS can take years to develop. However, HIV infections can manifest symptoms early.
Elevated Body Temperature
HIV can cause a fever or an abnormal rise in body temperature, notes MayoClinic.com. This symptom can occur during the first four weeks immediately after infection. This symptom might not manifest in some individuals, but a fever after a known exposure to the virus can indicate an infection.
Enlarged Lymph Glands
HIV can cause the lymph glands to become swollen or enlarged, notes MedlinePlus, a service of the National Institutes of Health. The lymph glands can swell up in as little as four weeks after initial infection, explains MayoClinic.com. The lymph glands that usually become enlarged are located in the axilla, neck and the groin.
Constant Feeling of Tiredness
HIV can cause a constant feeling of tiredness or exhaustion during the early phase of infection, notes Drugs.com. This sense of lingering exhaustion can occur within the initial weeks following infection. During this time, the body's immune system might be attempting to combat the HIV infection.
Skin Conditions
HIV can also cause the skin to become red and itchy, notes MedlinePlus. Other skin-related problems such as fungal infection can also occur as a result of early HIV infection. During the early phase of infection, it is entirely possible for some infected patients to remain free of this symptom.
Inflammation of the Throat
HIV can cause the area around the throat to become inflamed during the early phase of infection, notes MayoClinic.com. The throat inflammation can occur about four weeks following infection.
Recurring Shingles
HIV can also cause shingles to recur even during the early part of infection, notes MedlinePlus. Whether this symptom manifests varies from person to person.
Pain
Early HIV infection can cause headache and pain in the body joints, notes MayoClinic.com. This early HIV symptom may manifests within weeks of getting infected.
Diarrhea
HIV can cause persistent diarrhea, according to MedlinePlus. However, it is possible that some infected individuals to be free of this symptom.
Weight Loss
An early symptom of HIV is an unusual decrease in weight, notes MedlinePlus. Nevertheless, the loss of weight may not manifest at all during early HIV infection.
