Which statement describes the HIV/AIDS relationship?

• A. AIDS is the early stage of HIV.
• B. AIDS is the late stage of HIV.
• C. HIV and AIDS are unrelated conditions.
• D. HIV is a vaccine for AIDS.

Answer: (B)

HIV is the virus that weakens the immune system by attacking CD4 cells, and AIDS is the late-stage condition that develops when that damage becomes severe. If HIV isn’t controlled, the immune system becomes so compromised that opportunistic infections or certain cancers occur, which is how AIDS is diagnosed (often with a very low CD4 count or specific illnesses). So the statement that best describes their relationship is that AIDS represents the advanced, late stage of HIV infection. It’s not an early stage, not unrelated, and HIV isn’t a vaccine. With effective antiretroviral therapy, progression to AIDS can be prevented, turning HIV into a manageable chronic condition for many people.