Ace the CIC Challenge 2026 – Master Infection Prevention and Rock Your Career!

A woman who tests positive for HIV antibodies but shows no symptoms is classified as a reservoir in the infection cycle. In infectious disease terms, a reservoir is any person, animal, or environment in which an infectious agent can live and multiply. While she may not exhibit symptoms, the presence of HIV antibodies indicates that the virus is present in her body and has the potential to be transmitted to another individual.

This classification highlights the importance of understanding that not all infected individuals will show overt signs of illness, but they can still serve as a source of the pathogen. As a reservoir, she plays a critical role in the epidemiology of the disease and is a key target for intervention strategies aimed at controlling the spread of HIV. Recognizing asymptomatic carriers as a reservoir is essential in infection prevention and control efforts, as they can unknowingly contribute to the transmission of the virus.