Which clinical sign indicates the transition to AIDS in HIV infection?

Which clinical sign indicates the transition to AIDS in HIV infection?

• A. Fever
• B. Candidiasis
• C. CD4+ T cell count below 200 cells/mm3
• D. Fatigue

Answer: (C)

The transition to AIDS in HIV infection is characterized by a significant decline in the immune system's functionality, primarily indicated by the CD4+ T cell count falling below 200 cells/mm3. CD4+ T cells are crucial for maintaining the immune response, and their depletion signals that the body is losing its ability to fend off opportunistic infections and other diseases. When the count drops below this critical threshold, the individual has progressed from HIV infection to a diagnosis of AIDS, marking a severe stage of the disease where the risk of infections and certain cancers significantly increases. Fever, candidiasis, and fatigue can occur at various stages of HIV infection, including early phases, but they are not definitive indicators of the transition to AIDS. While a recurrent fever can be a symptom of an opportunistic infection or other complications related to advanced HIV, it is not specific to the transition to AIDS. Candidiasis, particularly oral thrush, may also appear during HIV infection but can occur even when the CD4+ count is above 200 cells/mm3. Fatigue is a common symptom that can occur throughout the course of HIV infection, thus it does not specifically indicate the transition to AIDS either. Therefore, the drop in CD4+ T cell count to below

The transition to AIDS in HIV infection is characterized by a significant decline in the immune system's functionality, primarily indicated by the CD4+ T cell count falling below 200 cells/mm3. CD4+ T cells are crucial for maintaining the immune response, and their depletion signals that the body is losing its ability to fend off opportunistic infections and other diseases. When the count drops below this critical threshold, the individual has progressed from HIV infection to a diagnosis of AIDS, marking a severe stage of the disease where the risk of infections and certain cancers significantly increases.

Fever, candidiasis, and fatigue can occur at various stages of HIV infection, including early phases, but they are not definitive indicators of the transition to AIDS. While a recurrent fever can be a symptom of an opportunistic infection or other complications related to advanced HIV, it is not specific to the transition to AIDS. Candidiasis, particularly oral thrush, may also appear during HIV infection but can occur even when the CD4+ count is above 200 cells/mm3. Fatigue is a common symptom that can occur throughout the course of HIV infection, thus it does not specifically indicate the transition to AIDS either. Therefore, the drop in CD4+ T cell count to below