tage 1: Acute HIV Infection/Acute Retroviral Infection
HIV enters CD4 T lymphocytes. However, binding to CD4 is not sufficient for infection; the HIV gp120 envelope glycoprotein must also bind to other cell surface molecules (co-receptors) to enter the cell (Kumar & Abbas 2012). Two cell surface chemokine receptors, CCR5 and CXCR4, serve this co-receptor role. Once infected, CD4 T lymphocytes produce more viruses.
Dysfunctional CD4 T cells leave infected individuals prone to opportunistic infections
High levels of the virus are present (often exceeding 10 million copies per millimeter) (Mathad et al 2012)
Potential for transmission is high
Acute HIV infection may manifest as flu-like symptoms (before activation of other immune system cells)