Treatment during primary HIV infection

Primary HIV infection is the period when HIV first establishes itself in the body. This is usually defined either as the period before the body starts producing antibodies against HIV (seroconversion) or sometimes as the first six months to one year after exposure. During this time, a person may have a negative or indeterminate HIV antibody test. Primary infection is often marked by a flu-like illness known as acute antiretroviral syndrome, with symptoms such as fever, fatigue and swollen lymph nodes.

Some researchers think treatment around the time of initial infection may improve HIV-specific immune responses, limit the spread of HIV throughout the body, lessen the risk of progression to AIDS, and reduce transmission. Studies to date have produced mixed results, but none has shown that HIV eradication is possible using current therapies.