A client with active AIDS is infected with a retrovirus. This virus is better known as?

The retrovirus associated with active AIDS is known as HIV, which stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This virus attacks the immune system, specifically targeting CD4+ T cells, leading to a progressive decline in immune function. As the infection advances, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), characterized by severe immune deficiency and vulnerability to opportunistic infections and certain cancers.

The emphasis on HIV being a retrovirus is significant because retroviruses have a unique mechanism of replicating; they convert their RNA into DNA within host cells, allowing the virus to integrate into the host genome. This integration is a crucial aspect of HIV’s pathogenicity, making it a challenge to eradicate.

The other choices refer to different viruses that do not cause AIDS: CMV stands for Cytomegalovirus, which can lead to other health complications; DSV appears to be a less commonly recognized abbreviation and not relevant in the context of AIDS; HSV stands for Herpes Simplex Virus, known for causing herpes infections, but not related to AIDS. Thus, the correct association with AIDS being caused by a retrovirus is specifically identified with HIV.