Explain why a person with AIDS is more susceptible to opportunistic infections. What diseases or conditions might a person with HIV or AIDS be more susceptible to?

Explain why a person with AIDS is more susceptible to opportunistic infections. What diseases or conditions might a person with HIV or AIDS be more susceptible to?

ANSWER

AIDS is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes progressive and chronic disease. It can be spread through blood, semen and vaginal fluids, breast milk, and rectal fluids.

People with AIDS are more susceptible to opportunistic infections because their immune systems are compromised by the virus. The most common opportunistic infections include Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and tuberculosis. People with HIV are also at risk for CMV (cytomegalovirus).

People with HIV have an increased risk of developing Kaposi’s sarcoma, lymphoma and other cancers as well.