Question:medium
The most common genital lesion in an HIV patient is:
The most common genital lesion in an HIV patient is:
Show Hint
Failing cell mediated immunity makes recurrent genital herpes the commonest lesion.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Chlamydia
- Herpes
- Syphilis
- Candida
Show Solution
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
HIV patients lose cell mediated immunity, and that decides which genital problem shows up most.
Effect of immunosuppression: With CD4 counts falling, the body cannot keep latent viruses in check. Herpes simplex virus, which normally sleeps in the sacral ganglia, reactivates often and produces recurrent and frequently severe genital ulcers. This makes genital herpes the leading genital lesion in HIV.
The reinforcing loop: Genital herpes ulcers also raise the chance of catching or passing on HIV because the open sores breach the mucosa, while HIV makes the herpes worse. The two diseases travel together, which is why herpes is the expected genital lesion.
Why not the others: Chlamydial infection mainly gives urethritis and cervicitis rather than an obvious lesion. Syphilis can ulcerate and behaves more aggressively in HIV, yet it is less frequent than recurring herpes. Candida produces vaginitis or balanitis, which is an inflammatory infection rather than the classic genital ulcer the question is after.
\[\boxed{\text{Herpes}}\]
Effect of immunosuppression: With CD4 counts falling, the body cannot keep latent viruses in check. Herpes simplex virus, which normally sleeps in the sacral ganglia, reactivates often and produces recurrent and frequently severe genital ulcers. This makes genital herpes the leading genital lesion in HIV.
The reinforcing loop: Genital herpes ulcers also raise the chance of catching or passing on HIV because the open sores breach the mucosa, while HIV makes the herpes worse. The two diseases travel together, which is why herpes is the expected genital lesion.
Why not the others: Chlamydial infection mainly gives urethritis and cervicitis rather than an obvious lesion. Syphilis can ulcerate and behaves more aggressively in HIV, yet it is less frequent than recurring herpes. Candida produces vaginitis or balanitis, which is an inflammatory infection rather than the classic genital ulcer the question is after.
\[\boxed{\text{Herpes}}\]
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