Infection with HIV causes __________.
a. Primary immunodeficiency disease
b. Acquired hypersensitivity syndrome
c. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
d. Anaphylactic immunodeficiency diseases
e. Combined immunodeficiency diseases

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Understand the key terms in the question: HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which affects the immune system.

Recall that HIV infection leads to a condition where the immune system becomes severely weakened over time, making the body vulnerable to infections and certain cancers.

Identify the term that describes an immune deficiency acquired after birth, rather than inherited, which is caused by an external factor such as a virus.

Match the correct term from the options given: 'Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome' (AIDS) is the condition caused by HIV infection.

Confirm that the other options do not correctly describe the condition caused by HIV: primary immunodeficiency is inherited, hypersensitivity involves allergic reactions, anaphylactic is a severe allergic response, and combined immunodeficiency refers to inherited defects affecting multiple immune components.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

HIV is a retrovirus that targets the immune system, specifically CD4+ T cells, leading to their gradual depletion. This weakening of the immune system makes the body more vulnerable to infections and certain cancers.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

AIDS is the advanced stage of HIV infection characterized by a severely weakened immune system. It is defined by the occurrence of specific opportunistic infections or cancers in an HIV-positive individual.

Primary vs. Acquired Immunodeficiency

Primary immunodeficiencies are genetic and present from birth, while acquired immunodeficiencies develop later due to external factors like infections (e.g., HIV). Understanding this distinction helps identify that HIV causes an acquired, not primary, immunodeficiency.

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