Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: HIV/AIDS and Immune Fnx Flashcards
What are the routes by which HIV transmission occurs?
- Percutaneous injury (needlestick, cut)
- Contact of mucous membrane or nonintact skin
WITH THE FOLLOWING
- Blood
- Tissue
- Other body fluids that are potentially infectious (CSF, synovial, pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, amniotic, semen, vaginal secretions)
What is NOT considered infectious for HIV? When can they be?
- Feces
- Nasal secretions
- Saliva
- Sputum
- Sweat
- Tears
- Urine
- Vomitus
UNLESS VISIBLY BLOODY
Where can HIV enter the body through?
Open cuts
Direct injection
Breaks in the skin
Mucus membranes (rectum, vagina, mouth)
What fluids are associated with HIV transmission
Blood
Semen
Vaginal Secretions
Breast Milk
What is the pathway for HIV to infect its target host cell
- Invades epithelium, infecting Langerhans cells in the subepithelium.
- Brought to regional lymph nodes at which the true target host cell CD4+ T lymphocytes are then infected by the virus.
Why is vaginal less risky than anal sex?
Rectal is 1 cell layer columnar epithelium. Genital tract/cervix/vagina is stratified columnar. More cell layers.
What are the common risk of acquisition co-infections? (epidemically linked) Disrupts epithelium thereby increasing risk of acquisition for HIV
Syphilis
Herpes Simplex type 2
Tuberculosis
What is risk for HIV acquisition mostly governed by?
- Amount of inoculum
2. Density of target cells
Why are uncircumcised males more at risk?
Much higher density of target cells in submucosal tissue
What is Acute HIV
The first 6-8 weeks after initial exposure, the time period during which HIV virus can be detected in blood but antibodies to HIV are not present.
What is the Window Period?
When routine HIV antibody tests (EIAs) are negative but HIV virus can be detected in blood.
What are some of the symptoms of acute HIV infection?
When do they typically begin and end?
Fevers Sore throat Headache Diarrhea Rash
Typically begin 1-4 weeks following exposure. 40-90% are symptomatic.
Symptoms can last from days to several weeks but usually <14
What are the key symptoms to differentiate HIV from other differential diagnoses
HIV alone does not result in a cough and does result in a fever over 100.5
Also a severe headache.
Diagnosis of acute HIV is best made by which?
Clinically/HIV antibody testing/Detection of HIV RNA (viral load testing)
All of the below because the negative HIV antibody testing would indicate an acute infection
What was the former testing protocol for HIV?
HIV-1/HIV-2 Immuno assay–> repeat testing–> HIV-1 Western blot (gp120 and p24 positive) or HIV-1 IFA or HIV-1 RNA
