HIV

Question 1

What is the causative agent of HIV/AIDS?

Answer 1

The causative agent is a retrovirus called HIV.

Question 2

Where does the HIV virus survive?

Answer 2

The virus survives in living cells.

Question 3

How is HIV transmitted?

Answer 3

Through sexual intercourse, exchange of body fluids, breastfeeding, and contaminated materials.

Question 4

What are the risk factors for HIV?

Answer 4

Multiple partners, unprotected sex, and a history of STIs.

Question 5

How can HIV transmission be prevented?

Answer 5

By reversing the mode of transmission.

Question 6

Is there a treatment for HIV?

Answer 6

No treatment is available to cure HIV, but antiretroviral therapy can manage the condition.

Question 7

How does HIV infect host cells?

Answer 7

The virus binds to a specific receptor glycoprotein (CD4) on the surface of host cells, including T helper cells, monocytes, dendritic cells in lymph nodes, macrophages, and neurons.

Question 8

What happens after HIV releases RNA into the host cell’s cytoplasm?

Answer 8

The virus undergoes reverse transcription, where RNA controls the synthesis of viral DNA and protein, leading to the production of new viral particles and the killing of host cells.

Question 9

What is the significance of the T4 to T8 ratio in HIV?

Answer 9

The ratio of T4 (helper T cells) to T8 (suppressor T cells) changes from 2:1 to 1:2, indicating disease progression.

Question 10

What is an intact immunity T4 to T8 ratio?

Answer 10

The ratio is 2:1, with a CD4 count of 650 to 1200 cells per cubic millimeter. A drop to 500 indicates immune impairment, and a drop to 200 or less indicates impending opportunistic diseases.

Question 11

Name some pathogens related to HIV.

Answer 11

• Pneumococcus bacteria,
• herpes zoster,
• non-typhoid salmonella,
• mycobacteria tuberculosis,
• Candida albicans.

Question 12

List some HIV-related diseases.

Answer 12

• Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB)
• Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP),
• Oral and genital candidiasis,
• Toxoplasmosis,
• Cryptococcal meningitis, herpes zoster,
• Kaposi sarcoma.

Question 13

What diagnostic tests are used for HIV/AIDS?

Answer 13

CSF, sputum, chest X-ray (CXR), and MRI for CNS involvement.

Question 13

What complications can arise from HIV/AIDS?

Answer 13

• Destroy myelin sheath causing neurological symptoms,
• destroy brain parenchyma, affect the respiratory
• urinary systems
• damage the cardiovascular system.

Question 14

What are the major signs of AIDS according to WHO?

Answer 14

• Weight loss greater than 10% of body weight,
• chronic diarrhea for more than 1 month,
• and prolonged fever for more than 1 month.

Question 15

What are the minor signs of AIDS according to WHO?

Answer 15

Persistent cough,

history of herpes zoster,

esophageal candidiasis

, pruritic pain,

lymphadenopathy,

chronic progressive herpes simplex infections.