Question

What are the three stages of progression in HIV infection?

1) Early Stage HIV/Acute HIV Infection, Clinical Latency Stage, and Late Stage HIV (AIDS)
2) Early Stage HIV/Acute HIV Infection, Clinical Latency Stage, and Early Stage HIV (AIDS)
3) Early Stage HIV/Acute HIV Infection, Clinical Latency Stage, and Advanced Stage HIV (AIDS)
4) Early Stage HIV/Acute HIV Infection, Clinical Latency Stage, and Chronic Stage HIV (AIDS)

Answer 1

The three stages of HIV infection are Acute HIV Infection, Clinical Latency, and AIDS, with the last stage reflecting the most severe immune system damage and the onset of opportunistic infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

Stages of HIV Infection

The progression of HIV infection can be categorized into three main stages:

1. Acute HIV infection: This is the initial stage occurring two to four weeks after infection, characterized by flu-like symptoms and a high viral load in the blood.
2. Clinical latency: HIV is less active during this stage but still reproduces at low levels. Patients may experience no symptoms for a long period, which can extend for decades with antiretroviral therapy, although CD4 T-cell counts gradually decline.
3. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS): This final stage is marked by a CD4 T-cell count below 200 cells/µL and the appearance of certain opportunistic illnesses. During this stage, the immune system is severely compromised, leading to severe symptoms and increased mortality without treatment.

The correct answer to the student's question is option 3) Early Stage HIV/Acute HIV Infection, Clinical Latency Stage, and Advanced Stage HIV (AIDS).