Question

At which stage of HIV infection does one usually shown symptoms of AIDS?

• A. Within 15 days of sexual contact with an infected person
• B. When the infecting retrovirus enters host cells
• C. When viral DNA is produced by reverse transcriptase
• D. When HIV replicates rapidly in helper T - lymphocytes damages larger number of these

Answer 1

The correct option is D When HIV replicates rapidly in helper T - lymphocytes damages larger number of these

AIDS symptoms are shown when HIV replicates rapidly in helper T-lymphocytes and damages large numbers of them. This usually happens several years after the initial exposure.
Withing 15 days of sexual contact with the infected person, the person develops some flu-like symptoms, but full-blown AIDS takes years to develop. There are no symptoms when the virus enters the host cells for the first time or when viral DNA is produced because they have not destroyed any cells yet.