Post-Seroconversion - Asymptomatic Stage

The second phase is entered once a specific immune response against HIV has been mounted and has controlled the initial viraemia.
This phase is asymptomatic.
The duration of the second phase is usually at least a year and can be over 10 years.
The mean length is shorter in Sub-Saharan Africa than in Europe and North America.
The reasons for this are not entirely clear, but malnutrition is probably an important factor.
A small proportion of patients appear to remain in this asymptomatic stage indefinitely (at least 20 years so far).
These fortunate people have been intensively investigated as they may hold the key to finding effective treatments and even a cure for HIV infection.
Although the patient is asymptomatic, HIV replication is continuing insidiously
The patient is an infection risk to others.
The CD4 positive lymphocyte counts drop progressively.
The HIV copy number rises progressively