Primary human immunodeficiency virus.

The term "primary HIV infection" refers to the period from initial infection with the human immunodeficiency virus to complete seroconversion. It is a period of extreme infectiousness. The occurrence and severity of symptoms during primary HIV infection correlate with the rapidity of clinical and immunologic decline. Treatment of patients during primary infection may improve immune preservation and reconstitution. In this review article, we present information that will help clinicians understand, recognize, and diagnose primary HIV infection. The current approach to management of primary HIV infection is based more on expert opinion than clinical trial results, though ongoing clinical trials should provide more information about this syndrome.