A most important factor associated with progression of HIV positive to AIDS is?

• HIV can infect and kill many different types of cells in the body, but the primary targets are immune cells called CD4 T-cells. The CD4 T-cells are white blood cells that help coordinate the immune system’s response to infection and disease. CD4 T-cells count is the most important factor in determining HIV progression. • Patients progress to AIDS when their CD4 cell counts drop below 200 cells per microliter of blood. Healthy individuals have a CD4 cell count between 600 and 1,200 cells per microliter of blood. Individuals with a CD4 cell lower than 200 cells per microliter of blood have the greatest risk of developing opportunistic infections. • The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention also created a classification system for HIV, based on CD4 count and clinical symptoms, and describes the infection in five groups. In those greater than six years of age it is: a. Stage 0: the time between a negative or indeterminate HIV test followed less than 180 days by a positive test. b. Stage 1: CD4 count > 500 cells/µL and no AIDS-defining conditions. c. Stage 2: CD4 count 200 to 500 cells/µL and no AIDS-defining conditions. d. Stage 3: CD4 count < 200 cells/µL or AIDS-defining conditions.