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 opportunistic infection is strongly associated with a CD4 count below 50 cells/mm3 in untreated HIV?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Cytomegalovirus retinitis

CMV retinitis becomes an important risk in advanced HIV with very low CD4 counts and can cause visual loss. Urgent ophthalmic assessment is needed for visual symptoms.

Option by option

  • A. Tuberculosis only

    Tuberculosis can occur at a range of CD4 counts.

  • B. Uncomplicated impetigo

    Impetigo is not the defining advanced-HIV opportunistic infection.

  • C. Cytomegalovirus retinitis (correct)

    Correct. CMV retinitis is classically associated with profound CD4 depletion.

  • D. Streptococcal pharyngitis

    Pharyngitis is common in the general population.

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.

More General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Cytomegalovirus retinitis. CMV retinitis becomes an important risk in advanced HIV with very low CD4 counts and can cause visual loss.

Why is "Tuberculosis only" not the answer?

Tuberculosis can occur at a range of CD4 counts.

Why is "Uncomplicated impetigo" not the answer?

Impetigo is not the defining advanced-HIV opportunistic infection.

Why is "Streptococcal pharyngitis" not the answer?

Pharyngitis is common in the general population.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases: HIV in General Medicine. Urgent ophthalmic assessment is needed for visual symptoms.

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.