The Stages of HIV Infection Category A:Asymptomatic Category B:Symptomatic.Early Category C:AIDS or chronic lymphadenopathy. indications of immune failure. indicator conditions. 1200 12 1-2 months following initial infection, 1100 the population of HIV in blood peaks 11 at about 10,000,000/ml. 1000 ③Seroconversion. 10 Antibodies against HIV appear. 900 HIV population in blood crashes. 800 8 700 6Huge but indefinite numbers of 1 HIV in lymphoid tissue,in latent or 600 proviral form (see Figure 19.13).At least 6 8 21-2 months following initial 100 billion HIV generated each day 500 infection,population of for years,mostly by infected T cells. 5 CD4 T-cells plunges. (Darker color below line indicates viral 400 5CD4 T-cell load in lymphatic tissue.) HIV population in blood population 300 declines steadily 3 Rise of HIV in blood 3 as immune system 200 breaks down. HIV in blood stabilizes 2 at steady state of 100 1000to10,000/ml. ⑦Clinical AIDS:cD4Tcel population 200/mm3 2 4 5 7 8 10 1-2 months Years Figure 19.15 The Stages of HIV Infection Figure 19.15