Ted came to the office feeling weak and has had significant weight loss recently. His blood tests show that his T-cell count is 178, his temperature is 102.4, and his blood pressure is 100/62. Based on his signs and symptoms, the practitioner might perform further tests to rule out ______.

A) systemic lupus erythematosus.
B) chronic fatigue syndrome.
C) lymphedema.
D) AIDS.
E) mononucleosis.

AIDS

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) damaging the immune system.

T-cell Count

A measurement of the number of T-cells (a type of white blood cell crucial for immune function) in the blood, often used to assess immune system health or in the context of diseases like HIV/AIDS.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

A chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, and brain, causing widespread inflammation and tissue damage.