can you explain what is initial infection.

1. if that mean if you expose on high risk on 10 december 99, test negative 3 months later, when initial infection will start.

2. if initial infection mean as soon you are expose or when the virus get to you blood. if the case, them after 3 months of exposure is not yet the initial infection, so please when is initial infection begin

thanks

When someone is infected with HIV, there is a period called acute primary infection, when the virus starts to reproduce to very high levels in the blood and the CD4 count often drops. This usually occurs 7 to 21 days after the exposure and lasts 1 to several weeks. About 2/3 to 3/4 of people will have some symptoms during the acute infection. These are referred to as "acute seroconversion syndrome" or symptomatic acute primary infection. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, rash, ulcers in the mouth or on the genitals, and even thrush or neurologic problems.

I hope this helps clarify Andrew T. Pavia, M.D.