HIV

Question 1

HIV

Answer 1

RNA virus
starts at viremia (large viral levels in blood - transmission is more likely), followed by a prolonged periods (years) of low viral load (clinical symptoms are limited)

Question 2

HIV transmission

Answer 2

transmitted only through contact with bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk). - sex with an infected partner, exposure to infected blood, prenatally at the time of delivery or breastfeeding.

Question 3

HIV patho

Answer 3

cells with CD4 receptor sites are infected. immune problems start when CD4 T-cell counts drop to believe 500cells/mcL (normal range 800 - 1200)

Question 4

CD4 cells

Answer 4

CD4 tests measure the number of these cells in the blood, and in conjuction with an HIV viral load test, help assess the status of the immune system in a person who has been diagnosed with HIV.

Question 5

HIV viral load

Answer 5

determines the amount of HIV in the blood of infection person.
accurate marker for prognosis, disease progression, response to tx

Question 6

Phases of HIV

Answer 6

(1) acute infection
(2) early chronic infection
(3) immediate chronic infection
(4) late chronic or AIDS

Question 7

Acute infection

Answer 7

first stage - flu like symptoms, occur 1-3 weeks after infection

Question 8

Early Chronic infection

Answer 8

second stage - generally asymptomatic

Question 9

Immediate Chronic infection

Answer 9

Viral load increased, symptoms become worse
Oral thrush, frequent night sweats, fatigue interrupts normal routines, shingles, Kaposis sarcoma (cancer), oral hairy leukoplakia

Question 10

Late Chronic/AIDS

Answer 10

immune system severely compromised, great risk for opportunistic disease (particularly herpes, tuberculosis, hepatitis)

Question 11

Diagnosis of AIDS

Answer 11

people with AIDS are (1) HIV positive, (2) CD4 count below 200 cells/mm and (3) have an AIDS defining condition like kaposi sarcoma or PJP

Question 12

Medication therapy

Answer 12

combination antiretroviral therapy
nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
fusion inhibitors
protease inhibitors
prophylactic medication given to prevent opportunistic infections (+ vaccinate)

Question 13

Antiretroviral Therapy

Answer 13

multi-medication therapy can reduce viral load and disease progression. 3 or more medications
tx should be initiated at the time of dx - adherence is most important!