Fig. 49.5.

Typical course of HIV Infection.

During the early period after primary infection, there is widespread dissemination of virus and a sharp decrease in the number of CD4⁺ T cells in peripheral blood. An immune response to HIV ensues, with a decrease in detectable viremia followed by a prolonged period of clinical latency. The CD4⁺ T cell count continues to decrease during subsequent years, until it reaches a critical level below which there is a substantial risk of opportunistic diseases.

Figure reproduced from Reid S, McGrath L. HIV/AIDS. Sleep Medicine Clinics 2019;2(1):51–8 with permission from Elsevier.