Which groups are considered to have a compromised immune system?

Clients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex (ARC) are classified as having a compromised immune system due to the significant impact of the HIV virus on the immune system. HIV specifically targets CD4 positive T-lymphocytes, leading to a reduction in these crucial immune cells over time. This decline diminishes the body’s ability to respond effectively to infections and other diseases, leaving individuals vulnerable to a variety of opportunistic infections and malignancies that a healthy immune system would typically ward off.

While pregnant women may experience certain changes in their immune systems due to hormonal changes and the needs of the developing fetus, they are not generally classified as having a compromised immune system in the same sense. Chronic migraines, though debilitating, do not inherently compromise the immune response. Healthy young adults usually possess fully functional immune systems capable of adequately defending against infections. Thus, the group with AIDS or ARC stands out as having a distinctly impaired immune response, making them notably more susceptible to various opportunistic health issues.