Final answer:
A runny nose that lasts a week is not typically associated with HIV, it is more common with upper respiratory infections like the cold. However, HIV can make a person more susceptible to these infections. In contrast, night sweats, unexplained bruising, and involuntary weight loss can all be symptoms of HIV, especially in its later stages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which of the given options is NOT a symptom of HIV. The symptoms of HIV can vary greatly and often depend on the stage of disease. However, a runny nose that lasts a week (option C) is typically not associated with HIV, but rather with common upper respiratory infections like the cold. In contrast, night sweats, unexplained bruising, and involuntary weight loss can all be linked to HIV, particularly during the later stages of the disease, also known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
HIV is a chronic infection that progresses over three main stages: acute infection, clinical latency, and AIDS. The immune system is continually damaged over time by the virus, ultimately leading to a severely compromised immune response in the final stage of AIDS.
Therefore, the correct answer is option C: A runny nose that lasts a week is not typically a symptom of HIV infection, although individuals with a weakened immune system due to HIV may catch colds or other upper respiratory infections more easily.
Learn more about HIV symptoms