Which of the following statements BEST describes an opportunistic infection (OI)?
A. OIs are common only to people with healthy immune systems.
B. OIs are the common cause of death of people with HIV/AIDS.
C. OIs are more frequent in the earlier stages of HIV.
D. OIs can be deadly to perfectly healthy people.
Answer: Understanding Opportunistic Infections
Opportunistic infections (OIs) occur when normally harmless pathogens exploit a weakened immune system, leading to severe illness. These infections are particularly dangerous for individuals with conditions such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, or those undergoing immunosuppressive treatments. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), OIs are a major cause of complications and mortality among immunocompromised individuals.
Analyzing the Options
✅ A. OIs are common only to people with healthy immune systems.
❌ Incorrect. Opportunistic infections primarily affect those with weakened immune systems, not healthy individuals.
✅ B. OIs are the common cause of death of people with HIV/AIDS.
✔️ Correct. According to WHO and CDC, OIs such as tuberculosis (TB), pneumonia, and fungal infections contribute significantly to mortality in people with HIV/AIDS due to immune suppression.
✅ C. OIs are more frequent in the earlier stages of HIV.
❌ Incorrect. OIs become more prevalent in the later stages of HIV, particularly when CD4 cell counts drop below 200 cells/mm³ (AIDS stage).
✅ D. OIs can be deadly to perfectly healthy people.
❌ Incorrect. While some infections can be serious in rare cases, opportunistic infections mainly threaten those with compromised immune systems.
Conclusion
The correct answer is B: OIs are the common cause of death of people with HIV/AIDS. This aligns with medical research and data from trusted health organizations, reinforcing the impact of OIs in immunocompromised individuals.
📌 Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): HIV and Opportunistic Infections
- World Health Organization (WHO): Opportunistic Infections and HIV
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