Seroconversion

Seroconversion means converting or changing from being HIV negative to HIV positive. This occurs when you first pick up the infection.

During seroconversion, HIV enters the body and begins to multiply. Your body will not have seen HIV before and levels of the virus [1]A small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell. initially grow rapidly, reaching high levels in the blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk.

Between 50% and 80% of people experience what is known as seroconversion illness. Common flu like symptoms may include lethargy and tiredness, fevers, night sweats, an unusual rash, diarrhoea, and nausea, which usually last a week or two.

There are clinical trials investigating whether newly infected patients benefit from treatment in the long term. Generally treatment at the time of seroconversion is reserved for those enrolled [2]The act of signing up participants into a study. Generally this process involves evaluating a participant with respect to the eligibility criteria of the study and going through the informed consent process. in clinical [3]Pertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trials, or with life threatening severe illness, because the long term benefits are not proven.

For more information about how the point at which you are diagnosed can impact on treatments decisions making, contact your local AIDS Council or PLWHA organisation [4].