# Explain why a person infected with HIV may eventually die from a disease caused by a different pathogen.

> OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247) — B6.3 Monitoring and maintaining health · Explain · 4 marks

> HIV is a communicable disease that progressively damages the body's ability to fight infection. The later stage of HIV infection is known as AIDS.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. HIV attacks / weakens the immune system over time
2. This leads to AIDS, in which the immune system is no longer able to respond effectively to pathogens
3. The person becomes vulnerable to infections that a healthy immune system would normally overcome (opportunistic infections)
4. Death therefore results from a secondary / opportunistic infection rather than from HIV itself

## Key terms

- [HIV](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/hiv)
- [pathogen](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/pathogen)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-a-person-infected-with-2b1d136c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.