The incubation time of HIV is 15 to 30 days. This is the period that goes from the moment the person is contaminated by HIV until the onset of first symptoms of the disease.
After the incubation period, symptoms similar to those of a flu, such as:
- Fever;
- Sore throat;
- Headache;
- Spots on the skin;
- Diarrhea;
- Body pain.
These early symptoms of HIV disappear spontaneously after 2 or 3 weeks. Then comes a long latency period, in which the virus multiplies in the body but without causing symptoms.
See more on the subject in What are the symptoms of HIV?
This period can be more than 10 years, with the mean time of 5 or 6 years. During this time of latency, the person infected with HIV no symptoms of immunodeficiency, that is, does not have AIDS yet.
After the latency period, the symptoms of AIDS, as:
- Significant weight loss;
- Diarrhea;
- Thrush;
- Recurrent skin infections;
- Frequent respiratory infections.
The disease is destroying the patient's immune system, leaving him exposed to opportunistic diseases. These diseases are called opportunists because they develop in individuals with weakened immune systems, as in the case of AIDS. Generally they are of origin infectious, although several types of cancer can also be considered "opportunistic".
It is important to remember that even during the incubation period or latency period, the virus is already multiplying in the cells of the body and therefore can be transmitted.
The blood test to detect the HIV virus can be done free of charge at the SUS Health Units.
