What occurs to immune cells during an HIV infection?

During an HIV infection, the virus specifically targets and infects immune cells known as CD4 T cells, which are crucial for the immune response. As the virus replicates within these cells, it eventually leads to their destruction. This depletion of CD4 T cells significantly weakens the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight off infections and diseases. Over time, the loss of these critical cells can lead to the progression of HIV into AIDS, where the immune system is severely compromised.

The other options do not accurately reflect the behavior of immune cells during an HIV infection. For instance, immune cells do not become dormant; instead, they are actively involved in responding to the infection, although their numbers decrease significantly due to the viral attack. While there might be a temporary increase in other immune cells as the body tries to respond to the infection, the overall health and functionality of the immune system deteriorate. Additionally, mutation to resist infection is not a general response of immune cells to HIV; it's the virus that may undergo mutations to evade immune detection, not the immune cells themselves. Thus, the correct understanding of the impact of HIV on these immune cells highlights the direct attack and destruction caused by the virus.