If an HIV positive individual has followed treatment exactly as recommended becomes ill with flu-like symptoms and seems to be getting worse instead of better, what is the most likely situation?

Worsening illness in a person with HIV should be assessed by a health professional rather than assumed to be a prolonged flu. Checking the CD4+ count can help determine how well the immune system is functioning; a low count or an opportunistic infection may indicate progression to AIDS. This does not mean the person’s infection has completely taken over or that their life expectancy is necessarily very short.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.