HIV Flashcards
What does HIV stand for?
Human immunodeficiency virus
What is AIDs?
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome that occurs at the end stages of a HIV infection
How does AIDs affect the immune systme?
Affects the immune system enough to make the person susceptible to recurrent and unusual infections.
What type of virus is HIV?
RNA virus
What is the most common type of HIV?
HIV-1
What effects does the virus have in the body?
Virus enters and destroys the CD4 T helper cells
How can HIV be spread?
Unprotected anal, vaginal or oral sexual activity
Vertical transmission- Mother to child at any stage of pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding
Mucous membrane, blood or open wound exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids
How can transmission be prevented during birth?
Mode of delivery is dependent on viral load
What would a woman’s viral load need to be for her to be okay to deliver vaginally?
Viral load < 50 copies / ml
What viral load would indicate a caesarean section?
> 50 copies copies / ml and in all women with > 400 copies / ml
When might you need to give medication during a caesarean section?
If the viral load is unknown or there are > 10000 copies / ml
What medication might you give to a woman during a caesarean section?
IV zidovudine
What is the prophylaxis treatment dependent on?
The mothers viral load
What are low risk babies, where mums viral load is < 50 copies per ml given?
zidovudine for 4 weeks
What are high risk babies, where mums viral load is > 50 copies / ml given?
Zidovudine, lamivudine and nevirapine for 4 weeks
What is not recommended for a mother with HIV?
Breast feeding
Why might babies tested for HIV under 18 months test positive?
Due to maternal antibodies
Does a positive HIV test in someone under 18 months definitively mean they have HIV?
No
What are the 2 tests for HIV?
HIV antibody screen
HIV viral load
What does the HIV antibody screen test for?
Antibodies
What is the problem with the HIV antibody screen?
It can give false positive in babies of HIV positive mums, due to maternal antibodies that cross the placenta.
How long can it take for antibodies to develop after exposure to the virus?
Up to 3 months
What does the HIV viral load test?
Tests directly for viruses in the blood
What is the problem with HIV viral load testing?
This will never be falsely positive, but may come back as “undetectable” in patients on antiretroviral therapy
When should HIV be tested for?
Babies to HIV positive parents
When immunodeficiency is suspected- unusual, severe or frequent infections
Young people who are sexually active
Risk factors such as needle stick injuries, sexual abuse or IV drug use
How many times are babies to HIV positive parents tested?
Twice
When are babies with HIV positive parents tested?
At 3 months and at 24 months
What is used to test babies with HIV positive parents?
HIV viral load
What medication is given to suppress the HIV infection?
Antiretroviral therapy (ART)
What is given to children with low CD4 counts?
Prophylactic co-trimoxazole (Septrin)
What does Prophylactic co-trimoxazole (Septrin) protect against?
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP)
What is the aim of antiretroviral therapy?
To achieve a normal CD4 count and undetectable viral load.
