Final answer:
A person with AIDS and a compromised immune system is considered to have an impairment. AIDS leads to severe immune system damage, making the individual susceptible to opportunistic infections and certain cancers. It involves a collection of symptoms resulting from extensive damage by HIV.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a person suffers from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and has an immune system that does not function properly, they are considered to have an impairment. AIDS is diagnosed when the CD4 T-cell count drops below 200 cells/μL or when certain opportunistic illnesses develop. During this stage, due to the damage done by the HIV virus, the immune system is severely damaged. Common symptoms include chills, fever, sweats, and weight loss, along with an increased risk of developing rare cancers and opportunistic infections. Without treatment, the lifespan of a person with AIDS is significantly reduced.
Furthermore, AIDS is not just a single disease but a collection of symptoms and illnesses that result from the extensive damage done to the immune system by HIV over years. Individuals with AIDS are susceptible to infections and cancers that a healthy immune system would typically resist. This vulnerability to opportunistic diseases often becomes the cause of death.