6.1 Blood Bourne Viruses Flashcards
What is a retrovirus?
A virus containing RNA and which uses reverse transcriptase to replicate the RNA
Which are of the body does HIV infect?
CD4 T cells
What CD4 count would define someone as ‘severe’ HIV or having an AIDS defining illness?
What are the symptoms of HIV?
Fever, weight loss, headache, liver and spleen enlargement, swollen lymph nodes, rash, vomiting, muscle pain
List 4 HIV associated infections
TB, Osteoporosis, Heart disease, hepatitis C, yeast infections
How is HIV transmitted?
Sexual transmission
Sharing needles
Medical procedures
In utero or breast feeding
How is HIV diagnosed?
Blood test looking for the antigen (of the virus) or antibody (from the immune system)
What is HAART?
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Started when a patient gets AIDs defining illness
What drugs make up HAART?
NRTI (eg. Tenofovir) + 2 of:
- NNRTI (eg. Efavirenz)
- Protease inhibitor (eg. Ritonavir)
- Integrase inhibitae (eg. Raltegravir)
How is Hepatitis B transmitted?
Vertically (mother to child)
Sexually
Needle pricks
Close, long-term contact with a sufferer
What are the symptoms of Hep. B?
Jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting
How can Hep B be diagnosed?
Liver function test
ALT/AST will be in the 1000s (v.high)
What is the order of the antibodies produced for Hep. B?
Core antibody (IgM)
E-antibody
Surface antibody
Core antibody (IgG) (persists for life)
What can chronic hepatitis B lead to?
Cirrhosis
Hepatocellular carcinoma
How is Hepatitis C spread?
Intra-venous drug use
Vertical transmission
Sexual contact
