Since the HIV virus damages the immune system of the people who get infected with it, these patients need to be aware of any potential signs of illness. In patients with HIV and AIDS, a cough can be a sign of a variety of pulmonary infections or irritations.

The earliest symptoms of an HIV infection typically occur between two to four weeks after the initial infection. This is because it takes time for the virus to infect enough cells to begin spreading throughout the body and affect your health.

The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a viral infection that was first identified in the early 1980s. After initial exposure to HIV, people can develop symptoms within two to four weeks, Mayo Clinic reports.