Factsheet What are the symptoms of seroconversion?

Krishen Samuel, Published May 2019

Key points

  • The symptoms of recent HIV infection are the same in men and women.
  • A flu-like illness may appear within a month of infection.
  • The most common symptoms are fever, swollen glands, muscle aches and tiredness.

Once infected with HIV, the virus takes hold in your body by multiplying rapidly. Your immune system responds by producing antibodies in response to the virus. This period is known as seroconversion. Antibodies appear within one to two weeks and will continue to increase in the months after infection. Seroconversion takes place within three weeks in the majority of infected individuals.

Seroconversion is often, but not always, accompanied by a flu-like illness. This happens in at least half of the people infected with HIV, but may happen in as many as 80-90% of all infections. Symptoms typically appear within a month of infection and tend to go away within two to three weeks.

"These symptoms are not a reliable way to identify seroconversion, to diagnose HIV infection or to rule it out. You need to take an HIV test."

Symptoms may include:

  • Fever
  • Swollen glands
  • Muscle aches
  • Tiredness
  • Body rash (usually reddish, small flat blemishes that are not itchy)
  • Oral thrush
  • Weight loss
  • Joint pains
  • Sore throat
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhoea
  • Headache
  • Genital sores or thrush
  • Night sweats
  • Nervous system involvement (meningitis or encephalitis).

The most commonly experienced symptoms are fever, swollen glands, muscle aches and tiredness.

These symptoms are not a reliable way to identify seroconversion, to diagnose HIV infection or to rule it out. There are many other illnesses that can cause symptoms such as these. Some people do not notice any symptoms after infection.

An HIV test needs to be done in order to confirm HIV infection. This is the only reliable way of knowing whether you have HIV or not.

This factsheet is due for review in May 2022

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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.
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We can end HIV soon if people have equal access to HIV drugs as treatment and as PrEP, and have free choice over whether to take them.

Launched today, the Community Consensus Statement is a basic set of principles aimed at making sure that happens.

The Community Consensus Statement is a joint initiative of AVAC, EATG, MSMGF, GNP+, HIV i-Base, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, ITPC and NAM/aidsmap
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This content was checked for accuracy at the time it was written. It may have been superseded by more recent developments. NAM recommends checking whether this is the most current information when making decisions that may affect your health.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.