Question

What findings support the diagnosis of AIDS in the individual with HIV?

1) flu like symptoms
2) oral hairy leukoplakia
3) Cd₄⁺ cells 200-500
4) cytomegalovirus retinitis

Answer 1

Oral hairy leukoplakia and cytomegalovirus retinitis are opportunistic infections that support the diagnosis of AIDS, as they typically occur with a severely suppressed immune system. The CD4 T-cell count dropping below 200 cells/µL is also a criterion for AIDS diagnosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Findings that support the diagnosis of AIDS in an individual with HIV include a marked decrease in CD4 T-cell count and the development of certain opportunistic illnesses. According to the CDC guidelines, an AIDS diagnosis is confirmed when:

• The individual's CD4 T-cell count drops below 200 cells/µL.
• The individual develops opportunistic illnesses, such as pneumocystis pneumonia, Kaposi's sarcoma, cryptosporidiosis, and toxoplasmosis.
• There may be severe symptoms, including weight loss, wasting syndrome, and dementia complex.

Therefore, of the provided options, oral hairy leukoplakia and cytomegalovirus retinitis support an AIDS diagnosis as these are opportunistic infections typically associated with the severe immune suppression seen in AIDS. In contrast, flu-like symptoms are more indicative of acute HIV infection, and CD4︄ cells in the 200-500 range are indicative of the clinical latency stage and do not by themselves diagnose AIDS.