AIDS

Question 1

AIDs

Answer 1

– acquired immune deficiency syndrome – the most severe manifestation of HIV infection. One or more of a number of opportunistic infections and malignancies – or a CD4 cell count below 200/mm3 in the presence of HIV – constitutes a diagnosis of AIDS. You can
be “HIV positive” and not have AIDS.

Question 2

Antiretroviral therapy

Answer 2

– treatment aimed at slowing or suppressing the activity of HIV in the body.

Question 3

Combination therapy

Answer 3

– the current clinical standard in HIV treatment, consisting of several different kinds of anti-HIV drugs taken at the same time in combination to inhibit HIV replication. Also referred to as “HIV cocktails.”

Question 4

Drug resistance

Answer 4

– the reduction of a drug’s ability to work against a specific bacterium or virus. Resistance is thought to occur when the virus mutates, changing its structure so that
the drug can no longer work as well as it used to.

Question 5

CD4 cell counts

Answer 5

– the number of white blood cells that participate in a variety of “cell mediated” immune functions, the specific part of the immune system which is damaged by
HIV. Counts are usually taken every three to four months and can be used to determine how well the immune system is holding up within the course of HIV disease.

Question 6

Combination therapy

Answer 6

– the current clinical standard in HIV treatment, consisting of several different kinds of anti-HIV drugs taken at the same time in combination to inhibit HIV
replication. Also referred to as “HIV cocktails.”

Question 7

Drug resistance

Answer 7

– the reduction of a drug’s ability to work against a specific bacterium or virus. Resistance is thought to occur when the virus mutates, changing its structure so that
the drug can no longer work as well as it used to.

Question 8

HAART

Answer 8

– highly active antiretroviral therapy

Question 9

HIV RNA

Answer 9

– the genetic code of HIV that incorporates into a CD4 cell’s DNA and causes that cell to begin manufacturing additional HIV particles. “Viral load testing” measures the amount of virus RNA in a person’s blood plasma.

Question 10

HIV

Answer 10

– human immunodeficiency virus – the virus that disables the immune system and allows opportunities for other infections to harm the body.

Question 11

Kaposi’s sarcoma

Answer 11

– form of skin cancer associated with the presence of an immune deficiency. It is caused by a herpes virus labelled HHV-8. (not commonly seen, 2007 update.)

Question 12

Lipodystrophy

Answer 12

– a syndrome describing body changes in relation to redistribution of fat tissues. The condition includes increased abdominal girth, loss of fat under the skin of the trunk, offset by an increase in visceral fat, loss of subcutaneous fat pads in the face, loss of 
appendicular fat (arms and legs), increase in breast size and “buffalo humps” (increased 
tissue on dorsal surface of upper thoracic spine).

Question 13

What are Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)

Answer 13

–a class of drugs that block HIV replication by binding with the enzyme reverse transcriptase.

Question 14

What are Nucleoside analog (NRTIs)

Answer 14

– a synthetic compound that mimics one of the building blocks of DNA. Suppresses viral replication by interfering with the reverse transcriptase enzyme; causes termination of infectious viral replication.

Question 15

What is an Opportunistic infection?

Answer 15

– an infection that can occur in persons with weak immune systems due to AIDS, cancer or immunosuppressive drugs, such as corticosteroids, or chemotherapy.
Examples include Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), toxoplasmosis and
cytomegalovirus.

Question 16

Define Peripheral neuropathy

Answer 16

– disorder that affects the nerves of the hands and feet and is characterised by pain, numbness, and/or tingling sensations.

Question 17

What is Protease?

Answer 17

– enzyme involved in cell reproduction that assembles functional parts of HIV during later stages of viral production.

Question 18

What is a Protease inhibitor?

Answer 18

– drug that can bind to and block HIV protease in order to prevent the production of new infectious viral particles.

Question 19

What is a Retrovirus?

Answer 19

–contains RNA but needs to transform it to DNA in order to multiply.

Question 20

Define Reverse transcriptase

Answer 20

– an enzyme that helps translate viral RNA to cell DNA during the early states of replication.

Question 21

What is Salvage therapy ?

Answer 21

– therapy prescribed to regain virologic control after it is lost in an attempt to prevent clinical failure. Salvage therapy usually involves the prescription of new or more
experimental drugs and even drugs that were used in the past (“recycling”).

Question 22

Define Seroconversion

Answer 22

– the flu-like symptoms that occur immediately after a person contracts HIV. This initial infection precedes seroconversion (going from HIV-negative to HIV-positive) and is characterised by fever, sore throat, headache, skin rash, and swollen glands. Also called acute infection.

Question 23

Define Viral load

Answer 23

– the measure of HIV RNA in the blood plasma.

Question 24

What is Viral replication?

Answer 24

– the process by which HIV is able to invade a CD4 cell or other cells and use the cell’s genetic material to make more copies of HIV.

Question 25

Virologic failure

Answer 25

– loss of control of viral replication even with the use of potent antiretroviral therapy.

Question 26

Wasting

Answer 26

– unexplained weight loss.

Question 27

How Can You Prevent Transmission?

Answer 27

Practice Safer Sex
• Use latex condoms, female condoms, and latex barriers with water-based
lubricants during sex.
• Do not use oil-based lubricants, such as baby oil, hand lotion and petroleum jelly. They weaken the condom allowing HIV to pass through.
Safer Injection Drug Use
• The best way to reduce the risk of HIV infection is to use clean needles.
• Needles and syringes should never be shared.
• When new needles are not available, they should be thoroughly cleaned with bleach and water.

Question 28

What Does NOT Cause HIV Infection?

Answer 28

• The following do not transmit the HIV virus:
• Saliva and tears (that are not mixed with blood)
• Urine (that is not mixed with blood)
• Utensils
• Towels
• Toilet seats
• Casual contact like kissing, hugging, and touching
• Caring for someone living with HIV/AIDS

Question 29

How Do You Become Infected With HIV?

Answer 29

The following body fluids can have high concentrations of HIV: 
• Blood (including menstrual blood)
• Semen, pre-cum
• Vaginal fluids
• Breast milk

Question 30

The following are direct ways for these body fluids (carrying the virus) to enter the bloodstream:

Answer 30

• Vagina, anus, urethra
• Cuts and sores
• Points of needle injection

Question 31

The most common ways HIV is spread are:

Answer 31

• Unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse
• Sharing needles for steroid or injection drug use
• During pregnancy or at birth an infected mother could transmit HIV to her child.
• A mother could also transmit HIV to her child through breast milk.
• Since 1985 all blood products in Canada have been tested for HIV

Question 32

Opportunistic Infections

Answer 32

Cervical cancer
Cryptococcus neoformans
Cryptosporidium
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Kaposi’s sarcoma
Lymphoma
Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI) or mycrobacterium avium complex (MAC)
Nervous sys manifestations (eg dementia, motor loss, tremor, spasticity)
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP)
Toxoplasma gondii
Tuberculosis
Wasting syndrome

Question 33

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Answer 33

CMV is a common virus (herpes virus family) and can infect anyone.
CMV is spread by direct contact of body fluids such as saliva, blood, urine, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
Most healthy people do not experience any symptoms when infected with CMV. However, in those with a weakened immune system, CMV can cause serious disease (blindness, hepatitis, pneumonia, or encephalitis, for example).

Question 34

Lymphoma

Answer 34

Lymphoma is a type of cancer involving cells of the immune system, called lymphocytes. Just as cancer represents many different diseases, lymphoma represents many different cancers of lymphocytes – about 35 different subtypes, in fact.

Lymphoma is a group of cancers that affect the cells that play a role in the immune system and primarily represents cells involved in the lymphatic system of the body.

Question 35

Tuberculosis

Answer 35

Tuberculosis, is a widespread, and in many cases fatal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis.[1] Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have an active TB infection cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit respiratory fluids through the air.[2] Most infections do not have symptoms, known as latent tuberculosis. About one in ten latent infections eventually progresses to active disease which, if left untreated, kills more than 50% of those so infected.

The classic symptoms of active TB infection are a chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, and weight loss

Question 36

Contagious Skin Diseases

Answer 36

Molluscum contagiosum- Contagious through touch
Herpes zoster/shingles- Virus is contagious
Folliculitis - bacteria infection contagious

Question 37

Thrush

Answer 37

Candidiasis is a fungal infection due to any type of Candida (a type of yeast).[1] When it affects the mouth, it is commonly called thrush.[1] Signs and symptoms include white patches on the tongue or other areas of the mouth and throat.[2] Other symptoms may include soreness and problems swallowing.[2] When it affects the vagina, it is commonly called a yeast infection.[1] Signs and symptoms include genital itching, burning, and sometimes a white “cottage cheese-like” discharge from the vagina.[3] Less commonly the penis may be affected, resulting in itchiness.[2] Very rarely, the infection may become invasive spreading throughout the body, resulting in fevers along with other symptoms depending on the parts of the body affected.