Final answer:
Respiratory conditions in patients with HIV, particularly when it progresses to AIDS, include pneumocystis pneumonia, esophageal candidiasis, as well as an increased risk of Kaposi's sarcoma and Burkitt's lymphoma. These conditions occur because the CD4 T-cell count is severely reduced, leading to a compromised immune system.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients with HIV can develop various respiratory conditions, especially as the virus progresses to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). When a person with HIV reaches the stage of AIDS, their CD4 T-cell count drops below 200 cells/µL, or they begin to develop certain opportunistic illnesses. The weakened immune system makes them susceptible to infections and cancers that otherwise wouldn't affect healthy individuals. Common respiratory conditions include pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), a severe fungal pneumonia, and respiratory tract infections like esophageal candidiasis, a yeast infection. AIDS patients also face a higher risk of viral-induced cancers such as Kaposi's sarcoma and Burkitt's lymphoma. Moreover, the HIV wasting syndrome characterized by weight loss, muscle wasting, fatigue, and weakness is also a critical condition observed in these patients. Systemic symptoms also commonly seen in AIDS include prolonged fevers, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, and diarrhea.