Final answer:
HIV specifically targets T lymphocytes with the CD4 marker, ultimately destroying them and compromising the immune system, which can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). While HIV does remain in a dormant phase and causes an immune response, it is less contagious than hepatitis B, and mother-to-child transmission rates can be reduced significantly with proper treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer regarding the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is B. HIV specifically targets T lymphocytes with the CD4 marker. HIV infects, and ultimately destroys, these important immune system cells, which hampers the body's ability to fight off infections. As HIV progresses and CD4+ T cell levels decrease, the body becomes more susceptible to a range of opportunistic infections, leading to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
It is important to note that reports of transmission rates of HIV from mother to infant are significantly lower than 60% to 70%, typically without treatment they are around 15-45%, and with proper antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding, this risk drops below 5%. Additionally, HIV is not more contagious than hepatitis B; in fact, hepatitis B is generally considered to be more infectious. The ability for HIV to remain in a dormant phase after causing an initial immune response is also a characteristic of the virus's infection cycle.
Treatment for HIV involves antiretroviral drugs that target viral proteins necessary for replication. This helps in prolonging the lifespan and improving the quality of life for those infected. However, creating a vaccine for HIV has been challenging due to the virus's rapid mutation rate and capability to evade the immune system.