AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Opportunistic infections (OIs) are illnesses that occur more frequently and are more severe in people with HIV. This is because they have damaged immune systems. Today, OIs are less common in people with HIV because of effective HIV treatment. their HIV treatment may not be working properly.

Detailed explanation-2: -HIV attacks a specific type of immune system cell in the body. It’s known as the CD4 helper cell or T cell. When HIV destroys this cell, it becomes harder for the body to fight off other infections. When HIV is left untreated, even a minor infection such as a cold can be much more severe.

Detailed explanation-3: -Having HIV/AIDS weakens your body’s immune system. It destroys the white blood cells that fight infection. This puts you at risk for opportunistic infections (OIs). OIs are serious infections that take advantage of your weak immune system.

Detailed explanation-4: -When HIV weakens the immune system, “opportunistic” infections can take advantage of this weakened state and cause illness. Opportunistic infections include Kaposi’s sarcoma and pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Many of these illnesses are readily controlled by a healthy immune system.

Detailed explanation-5: -Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC): It is one of the most common opportunistic bacterial infections in the AIDS population in the US.