Which symptom is NOT typically associated with late-stage HIV infection?

In the context of late-stage HIV infection, also known as AIDS, certain symptoms become more pronounced due to the diminishing immune system. Frequent infections, weight loss, and fever are all commonly observed in individuals experiencing this stage of the illness.

Frequent infections occur because the immune system is compromised, making it less able to fight off pathogens. Weight loss is prevalent as the body struggles with both the infection and the associated symptoms, leading to decreased appetite and metabolic changes. Fever can result from opportunistic infections or the body’s response to the viral load.

Severe headaches, while they can occur for various reasons in HIV-positive individuals, are not a hallmark symptom specifically associated with late-stage HIV. Headaches may relate to other conditions or complications that are not exclusive to HIV itself. Thus, the correct answer highlights a symptom that is not commonly tied to the advanced progression of HIV when compared to the other options listed.