Seroconversion Illness

Seroconversion illness occurs in the early phases of HIV, when the HIV virus starts replicating and destroying the

CD4 lymphocytes in the white blood cells. The HIV antigens are formed and our immune system slowly starts reacting to that. Our body generates HIV antibodies that strive to overpower the HIV virus. However, the number of antibodies are too less as compared to the number of HIV virus and hence, they often turn ineffective.

This inability on the part of our immune system, to deal with the growing number of HIV viruses in our blood leads to several seroconversion illness during this seroconversion period of HIV. Seroconversion is the first stage of HIV infection, when our body starts reacting to the HIV antigens, by producing HIV antibodies. However, HIV seroconvesion illness is not limited to only HIV. They may arise under the influence of other viruses also.

Seroconversion illness includes:

• Rash: These rashes may arise on the hands, palms, legs, neck, trunk etc. They may appear in different shapes and structures in different people. In most cases, they appear on the trunk and they are small, reddish in colour. They might grow within 10 to 20 days of contraction of the disease.
• Fever: Seroroconversion fever apparently is like any ordinary fever symptoms. However, as our immune system is deteriorated, it becomes more fatal. carinii pneumonia, toxoplasmic encephalitis, and salmonella bacteremia are the fatal forms of HIV fever.
• Joint or muscle pain: This happens because the virus and some other harmful bacteria is spread in various parts of our body, including the joints, which makes them painful
• Nausea or loss of energy: This happens because our white blood cells slowly degenerate and that affect the red blood cells. Due to the poor quality of the red blood cells, we start feeling weak. The existence of HIV virus in the blood maligns its purity, and we feel weak more often during seroconversion illness.
• Swollen lymph nodes: Swollen Lymph nodes are common symptom of any sexually transmitted disease. In medical terms, it is called lymphadenopathy. This happens as the protein molecules in the nodes are invaded by foreign viruses, and destroy our macrophages and lymphatic fluids.

These symptoms are same as any other kind of influenza. Therefore many HIV patients at this stage tend to consume normal influenza drugs and temporarily cure the disease. However, for anyone who belongs to the highly risked groups, or one who has indulged in any HIV prone risky activity, should immediately consult the doctor at this early stage of seroconversion illness, in order to abort its further propagation. However, in most cases, the patients fail to report, mistaking seroconversion illness for ordinary flu infection.

Seroconversion illness can always be cured with normal medication. Therefore any HIV positive person may not detect the presence of these viruses at the stage of seroconversion illness. He may not even visit the doctor the first time. However, these illnesses slowly become repetitive and more intense. That is when most of the patients get a HIV test done. Nevertheless, it is always better to go for a HIV test as early as possible, if the person is doubtful about the disease.