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Late-stage human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), also referred to as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), is typically diagnosed when the CD4 count falls below a specific threshold. A CD4 count of less than 200 cells/mm³ is one of the critical criteria that indicates progression to this advanced stage of the infection. At this level, the immune system is severely compromised, making the individual highly vulnerable to opportunistic infections and certain cancers.

The diagnosis of late-stage HIV is linked to this CD4 counting criterion due to its significance in assessing the immune system's capability to fend off infections. It marks a turning point in the illness where medical intervention becomes crucial to manage not only the HIV infection but also to prevent and treat potentially life-threatening complications.

While viral load and the appearance of symptoms of opportunistic infections are important factors in managing HIV, they do not define the diagnosis of late-stage HIV in the same quantitative manner as the CD4 count does. Therefore, the correct identification of a CD4 count below 200 cells/mm³ serves as a critical benchmark for diagnosing late-stage HIV.