👉 Collapse infection, often seen in immunocompromised individuals, occurs when an initial infection triggers a severe immune response that ultimately leads to the failure of the body's ability to fight off subsequent infections. This can happen because the initial pathogen or the immune response itself exhausts or damages the immune system, leaving it unable to control later invaders. For example, in patients with HIV/AIDS, the virus depletes CD4+ T cells, weakening the immune system and making them susceptible to opportunistic infections that would normally be kept in check. Similarly, in cases of severe sepsis or cytokine storms, the body's overactive immune response can cause widespread inflammation and tissue damage, further compromising its defenses and leading to a cascade of secondary infections. This collapse of immune function can rapidly progress from localized infection to systemic illness, often with high morbidity and mortality rates.
