HIV: Stages of Infection - Topic Overview
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classify HIV infection into four stages.1
Stages of HIV infection
- Stage 1: There are no AIDS-related conditions AND the CD4+ cell count is greater than 500 or the percent of CD4+ cells is at least 29% of all lymphocytes.
- Stage 2: There are no AIDS-related conditions AND the CD4+ cell count is 200 to 499 or the percent of CD4+ cells is 14% to 28% of all lymphocytes.
- Stage 3: The CD4+ cell count is lower than 200, the percent of CD4+ cells is less than 14% of all lymphocytes, or an AIDS-related condition is present.
- Stage unknown: No information is available on the CD4+ cell count or the presence of AIDS-related conditions.
In general, the higher the CD4+ count, the less likely it is that opportunistic diseases will occur. Most people who have untreated HIV experience a gradual drop in the number of CD4+ cells. Each person responds uniquely to this decline.
HIV/AIDS and Opportunistic Infections
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) attacks the body's white blood cells -- specifically a subset called CD4 or helper T cells. This attack allows opportunistic infections to take advantage of a weakened immune system, and can lead to illnesses, cancers, or neurological problems. If you have HIV and develop an opportunistic infection, your HIV infection may have progressed to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). But with careful monitoring, self-care, and treatment, you can prevent many...
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