The pre-AIDS syndromes. Asymptomatic carriers, thrombocytopenic purpura, persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, and...

With the passage of time and the refinement of laboratory techniques, the ability to recognize disease related to human immunodeficiency virus infection has improved. Currently, a number of clinical conditions can be identified as "pre-AIDS" syndromes. These include the syndrome of persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, the wasting syndrome, and certain predominantly neurologic presentations. All are characterized by the presence of human immunodeficiency virus infection, symptomatic illness, and a tendency to progress to a diagnosis of full-blown AIDS that appears to be ever increasing with the passage of time.