AIDS Flashcards
what does AIDS stand for
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
what is the infection that causes aids
viral infection
what virus is specific to aids
HIV
- human immunodeficiency virus
what is occurring with HIV
increase of immunosuppression
what does an increase of immunosuppression cause
opportunists infections and cancers
What type of virus is HIV
retrovirus
what does retro virus mean
means it replicates in the host cell via reverse cell transcription
transmission of HIV
sexual contant
maternal (utero, labor, delivery, lactation)
blood
reservoir of HIV
semen
saliva
blood
what prevents occupational health workers from contracting the virus
universal precautions
what are the three phases of HIV
primary infection
latent period
overt AIDS
how long does the primary infection last
weeks to months
what occurs in the primary infection phase
window period
seroconversion
high viral load
low CD4 count
what is the window period
the time it takes to be infected with HIV and to produce a positive test (30 days)
what is the seroconversion
the time it takes for AB to be produced and detected
what does it mean when there is a decrease CD4 count
protein count of surface receptors on T-helper cells (suppressing the immune response)
what is occurring in the latent period
asymptomatic but damage is still occurring
- lymphatic tissue damage
- resp infection
- fatigue
when does overt AIDS occur
~ 10years
what occurs in the overt AIDS phase
target of T-helper cells, b cells, macrophages
destroys immune system and defences
increase in new infection and latent pathogens
various organs affected
Diagnosis of HIV
clinical progression ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) Western Blot Assay PCR (polymerase chain reaction) P-24 Ag NAT (nucleic acid test)
what is the ELISA test
measures ab against the virus (needs 90 days)
what is the western blot assay
detects ab against specific antigens
what is the PCR
polymerase chain reaction measures the genetic components of the virus
($$$ and specific)
what is NAT
nucleic acid test
- building blocks of DNA and RNA
