Which term refers to infections that take advantage of a weakened immune system?

The term that designates infections that take advantage of a weakened immune system is "opportunistic infections." These infections occur when the body's defenses are compromised, allowing pathogens, which typically would not cause illness in a healthy individual, to invade and proliferate.

Opportunistic infections are particularly common in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, or people on long-term immunosuppressive medications. These infections can include a variety of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that exploit the vulnerabilities created by the compromised immune system.

In contrast, contagious infections are those that can be easily transmitted from one person to another, but do not necessarily depend on a weakened immune system for transmission. Autoimmune infections do not exist as a recognized category; instead, autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Chronic infections refer to infections that persist over a long period, but they may not necessarily arise from an opportunistic context.

Understanding the nature of opportunistic infections is critical in medical practice, particularly when dealing with populations that have compromised immune systems, as it guides treatment and prevention strategies.