Question

What stage of HIV infection usually shows symptoms of AIDS?

• A. When HIV damages large number of helper T-lymphocytes
  
• B. When the infected retro-virus enters host cells
• C. Within $15$ days of sexual contact with the infected person
• D. When the viral DNA is produced by reverse transcriptase

Answer 1

The correct option is A When HIV damages large number of helper T-lymphocytes


AIDS
AIDS stands for Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). HIV infects and destroys helper T-lymphocytes and macrophages in the human body which weakens the immune system.

Stages of HIV infection
Three stages of HIV infection are as follows:
$1$. Acute HIV infection
$2$. Chronic HIV infection
$3$. AIDS

Acute HIV infection
Acute HIV infection is the earliest stage of HIV infection. This develops within $2$ to $4$ weeks after infection with HIV. Common symptoms include fever, headache, and rashes. Hence the statements in option ($A$), ($C$), and ($D$ are applicable to acute HIV infection.

Chronic HIV infection
In the chronic HIV infection stage the virus continues to multiply in the body at very low levels. Infected person may not have any HIV-related symptoms. This stage can last for $10$ years or longer.

AIDS
AIDS is the final and most severe stage of HIV infection. This occurs when considerably high numbers of helper T cells are damaged. The infected person starts getting serious opportunistic infections with additional symptoms such as rapid loss of weight, fever, chronic diarrhoea, persistent cough, etc. People with HIV are diagnosed with AIDS in this stage.