HIV Flashcards
What type of virus is HIV
Retrovirus = genetic info is stored in RNA
(HIV has both DNA and RNA)
What is the name of the condition of the final stage of HIV
AIDS
Out of group M,N, O & P - which ones of these HIV groups is the most common
M
What are the similarities of HIV-1 & HIV-2
• gene arrangement
• mode of transmission
• intracellular replication pathway
• lead to AIDS
What are the prominent route of transmission?
• sexual intercourse
• sharing needles
• blood transfusion
• vertical transmission
HIV - 2 is largely confined to which country
West Africa
Which HIV progresses to AIDS quicker
HIV 1
Which HIV has lower plasma viral loads
HIV 2
Which has the increased likelihood of transmission
HIV 1
What are other routes of transmission in terms of fluid where HIV levels are too low to even pose a significant risk of transmission
• saliva
• urine
• breast milk
• semen
• vaginal discharge
There are 3 stages of HIV, describe each stage
Stage 1:
• flu like symptoms = muscle pain, fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes
Stage 2:
• asymptomatic / latent - can last for years
Stage 3:
• AIDS = CD4 count <200 and ppl are at risk of opportunist pathogens
Seroconversion
• Aka stage 1 HIV
• flu like symptoms
• this is where HIV antibodies are detectable
Non-progresses?
These are the people that develop AIDS slowly or never at all
Describe the HIV life cycle?
• HIV has high affinity to CD4 cells on the surface of the host cells
• virus fussed with the host cell membrane passing on its viral material
• HIV has an enzyme called reverse transcriptase - RNA is converted into DNA
• provirus is made
• the host cell now releases new particles to infect other cells via budding
Aim of ART
• restore immune system
• increase CD4 cells
• prevent further deterioration of immune system
• improve QOL
• alleviate symptoms
• REDUCE VIRAL LOAD COUNT - to undetectable
