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The last stage of infection caused by HIV is known as AIDS, which stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. This stage occurs when the immune system becomes severely damaged due to the prolonged presence of the virus. At this point, the body has a significantly diminished ability to fight off infections and diseases.

In this final stage, an individual may experience a variety of opportunistic infections or cancers that occur much more frequently in those with weakened immune systems. The progression to AIDS is typically characterized by a significant drop in CD4 T-cell counts, and it marks a critical turning point in the disease's progression. Understanding this stage is essential for recognizing the full impact of HIV on an individual's health and the importance of early testing and treatment to prevent progression to this stage.