Blood Borne Viruses

Question 1

What is the causative agent of HIV?

Answer 1

Lentivirus

Question 2

Mechanism of transmission of HIV:

Answer 2

Genital secretions and blood
Sexual contact
Vertical transmission
Percutaneous

Question 3

How many types of HIV are there? Which is more virulent?

Answer 3

Two types - HIV-1 and HIV-2

Type 1 is more virulent

Question 4

What type of virus is HIV?

Answer 4

Retrovirus - RNA, contains reverse transcriptase

Question 5

What are the 5 steps of HIV transmission?

Answer 5

1. HIV transmission
2. Primary infection (acute illness is 3-6 weeks)
3. Clinical latency (asymptomatic)
4. AIDS defining illness (weakening of immune system, opportunistic infection)
5. Death (AIDS related illness)

Question 6

Primary diagnostic test for HIV

Answer 6

Positive antibody test result

window period = 6-12 weeks

Question 7

Treatment for HIV

Answer 7

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
Antivirals within 72hours of exposure
Safe sex should still be practiced!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Question 8

Symptoms of HIV

Answer 8

Fever, rigours, lethargy
Nausea and vomiting
Truncal rash
Neurological symptoms

Question 9

How is Hepatitis A transmitted?

Answer 9

Oral-faecal route
Sexual contact
Shell fish (lol what?)

Question 10

High risk groups for Hepatitis A

Answer 10

Men who have sex with men
Drug users
Anal intercourse

Question 11

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Answer 11

Fever, aches, pain, nausea
Darkening of urine
Jaundice

Question 12

How is HIV diagnosed?

Answer 12

Blood test - anti-HAV Igm (persists for 3-6 months)

Question 13

How is Hepatitis B transmitted?

Answer 13

Sexual contact
Exposure to blood/serum
Vertical
Percutaneous

Question 14

High risk groups for Hepatitis B

Answer 14

Men who have sex with men
Drug users
Migrants
Health workers
Sex workers

Question 15

What is the incubation period for Hepatitis B?

Answer 15

45 - 1080 days

Question 16

What does ‘carrier state’ mean with regard to Hepatitis b?

Answer 16

The infection can persist for a lifetime

Question 17

How is Hepatitis B diagnosed?

Answer 17

Blood test - HbsAg, Anti-HBc and IgM

Question 18

Treatment for Hepatitis B

Answer 18

Vaccination to be administered within 7 days of exposure

Question 19

Is HIV or Hepatitis B more infectious?

Answer 19

Hepatitis B

Question 20

Why is Hepatitis B more difficult to treat?

Answer 20

It is a single stranded RNA virus, and thus is more likely to mutate

Question 21

Transmission of Hep C

Answer 21

Blood to blood
Potentially sexual contact
Vertical transmission

Question 22

High risk groups for Hep C

Answer 22

Men who have sex with men
Injecting drug users
Recipients of blood transfusions
HIV patients
Sex workers

Question 23

What are the symptoms of Hep C?

Answer 23

Often subclinical - chronic infection in 80% of individuals

Others are able to naturally clear the virus

Question 24

Treatment for Hep C

Answer 24

No real treatment! - may require referral to specialist
Carry out testing for HIV
Vaccinate for Hep A and B

Question 25

What are the 5 objectives of Hep C reduction and prevention?

Answer 25

Reduce incidence and risk behaviours
Increase access to management of the condition
Eliminate the stigma
Increase education and prevention programs
Highlight the need for ‘shared responsibility’