Acute HIV infection occurs in 85% of people recently infected with HIV-1 after an incubation period of 2–6 weeks. Diagnosing the acute HIV infection is difficult because the symptoms are non-characteristic and include fever, pharyngitis, and skin rash. Early recognition of HIV infection is, of course, maximally desirable in order to prevent further transmission of the infection and because the early treatment can slow down later progression of the disease.

        Key words: acute HIV infection, early diagnosis, antiretroviral therapy.