Exposure to HIV may eventually lead to which condition?

Exposure to HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, can lead to AIDS, which stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 T cells, which are crucial for fighting infections. Over time, if left untreated, HIV reduces the number of these cells to a level where the body becomes vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers, leading to the development of AIDS.

AIDS represents the most severe phase of HIV infection. It signifies that the immune system has been significantly compromised. The progression from HIV to AIDS can take several years, and without proper medical intervention, individuals with HIV are at a considerably higher risk for serious health complications, including infections and certain types of cancer that can occur due to a weak immune system.

Other options, while they may involve health risks, do not directly correlate to the progression of HIV. For example, hepatitis is a viral liver infection that differs from HIV, and allergies are immune responses that do not stem from HIV exposure. Cancer can be a consequence of AIDS, but it is not the immediate next step following HIV exposure. Thus, AIDS is the correct condition that follows HIV infection.