Question

At which stage of HIV infection does one usually show symptoms of AIDS?
A) Within 15 days of sexual contact with an infected person
B) When the infected retrovirus enters the host cell.
C) When HIV damages a large number of T- cells
D) When the viral DNA is produced by reverse transcriptase.

Answer 1

Hint:There are mainly four stages of HIV infection. The symptoms of each stage vary according to the type and severity from person to person.

Complete answer:
 If a person develops certain infections or diseases as a result of damage to their immune system due to HIV infection, they were said to have AIDS. AIDS is believed to have originated in Africa. AIDS has become an epidemic affecting tens of millions of people all over the world. AIDS is caused by infected blood, other body fluids such as semen or vaginal fluids. The signs of HIV infection can vary in type and severity from person to person and some people may not have any symptoms. The four main stages of HIV infection include:
1. Acute primary infection: A stage in which early symptoms of HIV develop that are flu-like symptoms. After two or three weeks of getting infected, one starts to feel these symptoms. And in some cases, people don't have any symptoms at all.
2. The asymptomatic stage: Once the person has overcome the primary stage they often start to feel better. HIV may not cause any other symptoms up to 10 or even to 15 years and it depends on age, background, and general health.
3. Symptomatic stage; gradually the immune system gets damaged and weakened by HIV and symptoms develop. Initially, they may be mild but gradually get worsened.
4. AIDS/ progression of HIV to AIDS: In the final stage, the HIV progress to AIDS with visible symptoms like change in CD4 count occurs.

Thus the correct answer for the question is option (C) When HIV damages a large number of T- cells.

Note:In some people, the symptoms may not occur till stage 3 of infection. HIV selectively destroys the T-lymphocytes, and causes symptoms of immunodeficiency due to a reduced number of T cells.