Question

The early acute phase of HIV infection is often characterized by:

a) High CD4+ T-cell count
b) Low viral load
c) Acute opportunistic infections
d) Asymptomatic

Answer 1

The early acute phase of HIV infection is defined by a high CD4+ T-cell count and a high viral load, with possible flu-like symptoms, but not acute opportunistic infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

The early acute phase of HIV infection is characterized by a high CD4+ T-cell count and a high viral load. During this stage, an individual may experience a flu-like illness, which can persist for a few weeks. Acute HIV infection is confirmed using a fourth-generation antibody-antigen test or a nucleic acid test (NAT).

Despite having a high CD4+ T-cell count (over 500 cells/µL), patients in this phase are very contagious due to the large amount of virus present in their blood. Acute opportunistic infections are not typically seen in this early phase; these occur later when the CD4+ T-cell count drops significantly, often below 200 cells/µL, which is classified as AIDS or Stage 3 of HIV infection.