Fever
The most common primary symptom of an HIV infection is a fever.
A fever during the initial HIV stage is likely to be recurrent and persists for 2 to 4 weeks at a time. Night sweats often accompany infection-associated fevers.
Night Sweats
If you are unable to sleep because you just cannot stop sweating, and you have recently engaged in any of the previously described high-risk behaviors, it might be a cause for concern.
HIV-induced night sweats occur persistently and without exertion. They may drench your clothes and sheets and may be nearly impossible to sleep through.
A subject diagnosed with early HIV who engaged in unprotected anal intercourse with multiple partners reported night sweats as a commonly occurring symptom, according to a 2015 study published in “Clinical Infectious Diseases”.
Night sweats usually accompany a fever in HIV patients.
Sore Throat
A sore throat is another common symptom of early HIV. It is highly likely to accompany a fever in HIV-positive patients.
A sore throat may occur before the onset of fever as an indicative sign in many patients.
A sore throat was identified as one of the severe symptoms of primary HIV infection in 74 infected prostitutes, according to a 2002 study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
You may experience pain swallowing food and water as well as your own saliva.
Your sore throat may last up to 2 weeks at a stretch and may be accompanied by mouth ulcers.
Swollen Lymph Nodes
Immune system cells are spread throughout the body. One of the primary locations for their distribution is the lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes are found in the neck, under the armpits and in the groin area.
Since the main task of HIV cells is weakening the immune system, they identify the key immunity-boosting parts of the body and attack them. This includes the lymph nodes.
The swelling of the lymph nodes is your body’s way of telling you that your immune system is working hard to minimize the damage caused by the HIV infection.
Out of 54 patients affected with HIV, 30 patients (55.5 percent) reported swelling of the lymph nodes (reactive hyperplasia), according to a 2002 study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology.
Lymph nodes are painful and tender to the touch. They can frequently appear and disappear. It is a cause for concern if swelling persists longer than 2 to 4 weeks.