HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV destroys certain white blood cells called CD4+ T cells. These cells are critical to the normal function of the human immune system, which defends the body against illness. When HIV weakens the immune system, a person is more susceptible to developing a variety of cancers and becoming infected with viruses, bacteria and parasites.

HIV syndrome is a name for the early stage of HIV infection, when a person is first infected with HIV (HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus). When first infected with HIV, a person may not experience any symptoms. However, often a person will develop flu-like symptoms that last several weeks. These include:

• Fever
• A tired feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Decreased appetite
• Sore throat
• Joint and muscle aches
• Diarrhea
• Rash

If you have recently been infected with HIV, you might not realize it. The person you caught HIV from may not look or feel sick. And the signs and symptoms of HIV infection are similar to other illnesses, such as mononucleosis (mono), tonsillitis or the flu.

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