What are the clinical features of primary HIV infection (seroconversion illness)?
The symptoms and signs of primary HIV infection (seroconversion illness) are non-specific and vary among individuals. It is important (but can be difficult) to make the diagnosis during seroconversion, when symptoms may be minimal or absent. • Symptoms and signs in primary HIV infection include: • Fever. • Sore throat. • Malaise, lethargy, fatigue. • Arthralgia and myalgia. • Enlarged lymph nodes. • Oro-genital ulceration. • Generalized aches and pains. • A blotchy maculopapular rash on the trunk, which may spread to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. • Ulcers in the orogenital or perianal areas. • Headache or meningism (headache, neck stiffness, and photophobia). • Diarrhoea. • Occasionally, primary infection presents with conditions associated with immunosuppression, such as: • Oral candidiasis. • Shingles. • Include HIV in the list of possibilities whenever the differential diagnosis includes such infections as glandular fever (Epstein–Barr virus), primary syphilis (which
