Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

What disease is characterized by the presence of antibodies against HIV?

1. Hepatitis

2. AIDS

3. Syphilis

4. Gonorrhea

The correct answer is: AIDS

The disease characterized by the presence of antibodies against HIV is AIDS, which stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. When an individual is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), their body produces specific antibodies in response to the viral infection. The detection of these antibodies is used to diagnose HIV infection, which can lead to the development of AIDS if untreated. AIDS represents the advanced stage of HIV infection, where the immune system is severely compromised, making the individual vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers. The presence of antibodies against HIV indicates that the person has been exposed to the virus, and if their condition progresses without appropriate treatment, they may develop AIDS. In contrast, the other options listed are unrelated to HIV. Hepatitis refers to liver inflammation often caused by different viruses or toxins, syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, and gonorrhea is another sexually transmitted infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Each of these diseases has its own diagnostic markers and implications distinct from those of HIV and AIDS.