Which of the following is AIDS-defining?

Which of the following is AIDS-defining?

• A. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP)
• B. Common cold
• C. Seasonal allergy
• D. Sinusitis

Answer: (A)

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is an AIDS-defining opportunistic infection. In HIV infection, certain infections signal progression to AIDS when the immune system is severely compromised, especially with CD4 counts around or below 200 cells/µL. PCP is the classic example of an AIDS-defining illness because it almost exclusively occurs in advanced immunosuppression. The common cold, seasonal allergies, and sinusitis are routine illnesses that can occur in people with normal immune function and do not indicate progression to AIDS.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is an AIDS-defining opportunistic infection. In HIV infection, certain infections signal progression to AIDS when the immune system is severely compromised, especially with CD4 counts around or below 200 cells/µL. PCP is the classic example of an AIDS-defining illness because it almost exclusively occurs in advanced immunosuppression. The common cold, seasonal allergies, and sinusitis are routine illnesses that can occur in people with normal immune function and do not indicate progression to AIDS.