title: Characterization of the acute clinical illness associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection.
abstract: The clinical and serologic features and immune status of 39 homosexual men who had seroconversion to human immunodeficiency virus positivity were compared with 26 homosexual men who remained seronegative during a six-month period. An acute clinical illness occurred in 92.3% of seroconverted subjects and 40% of controls. The duration of illness was significantly greater in the seroconverters than the controls (10 + 4.4 days). A general practitioner was consulted by 87.2% of the seroconverters because of the illness, including 12.8% who were admitted to hospital, compared with 20% of controls. The most frequently reported symptoms in the seroconversion group were fever (76.9%); lethargy and malaise (66.7%); anorexia, sore throat, and myalgias (56.4% each); headaches and arthralgias (48.7% each); weight loss (46.2%); swollen glands (43.5%); retro-orbital pain (38.5%); and dehydration and nausea (30.8% each). Lymphadenopathy developed in 75% of seroconverters compared with 4% of controls. Changes in T-cell subsets were not found in controls, but the number of T4+ cells and the T4+/T8+ ratio decreased significantly in seroconverters.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Immunology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tindall
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kronenberg
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Penny
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies