Infectious diseases: HIV: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Infectious diseases: HIV

Sample item

Which infection is particularly associated with advanced HIV when the CD4 count is below 200 cells/mm3?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is an important opportunistic infection in advanced HIV, classically at low CD4 counts. It often presents with subacute dyspnea, dry cough, fever, and hypoxemia.

Option by option

  • A. Streptococcal pharyngitis

    Streptococcal pharyngitis is common but not a defining advanced-HIV opportunistic illness.

  • B. Uncomplicated influenza

    Influenza can affect anyone and is not the classic CD4-threshold opportunistic infection.

  • C. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (correct)

    Correct. PCP risk rises substantially as CD4 count falls below about 200 cells/mm3.

  • D. Acute otitis externa

    Otitis externa is not the classic low-CD4 opportunistic infection in this context.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is an important opportunistic infection in advanced HIV, classically at low CD4 counts.

Why is "Streptococcal pharyngitis" not the answer?

Streptococcal pharyngitis is common but not a defining advanced-HIV opportunistic illness.

Why is "Uncomplicated influenza" not the answer?

Influenza can affect anyone and is not the classic CD4-threshold opportunistic infection.

Why is "Acute otitis externa" not the answer?

Otitis externa is not the classic low-CD4 opportunistic infection in this context.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases: HIV in General Medicine. It often presents with subacute dyspnea, dry cough, fever, and hypoxemia.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Infectious diseases: HIV?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.