HIV Flashcards
What is the HIV virus? what unique machinery does it use
- retrovirus
- uses reverse transcriptase to turn RNA -> DNA -> integrate its genetic material into host DNA and produce new viruses
HIV targets what type of host cells
- T cells particularly CD4 T cells (helper cells)
- also infects B lymphocytes and macrophages
role of CD4 T cells
- enhance immune response
- tell B cells to make antibodies
how is HIV transmitted
- sexual transmission
- exchange of infected body fluids
- IVDU
- needlestick
- HIV infected mom -> infant
- ***requires infectious body fluid and port of entry
risk of transmission of HIV with insertive vaginal intercourse
1/10,000
risk of transmission of HIV with receptive vaginal intercourse
1/1000
risk of transmission of HIV with receptive anal intercourse
1/50
risk of transmission of HIV with shared drug needle
1/150
risk of transmission of HIV with occupational needlestick
1/300
when does the primary HIV infection (acute HIV) occur after exposure?? Most common symptoms
- 2-6 wks after exposure
- mono-like or flu-like illness
which test would you use in primary HIV infection (acute HIV): HIV RNA and/or HIV Ab test
- routine HIV Ab test is often negative
-
HIV RNA tests for viral load
- usually extremely high in acute phase
why is it important to diagnose pt in acute HIV phase
- pt is highly infectious during this period
- diagnosis will likely limit transmission to others
clinical presentation
- fever
- adenopathy
- sore throat
- rash: upper trunk, neck, face
- mucocutaneous ulcers
acute HIV infection
what laboratory abnormalities would you expect in acute HIV infection
- elevated LFTs
- leukopenia
- anemia
- thrombocytopenia
When does patient seroconvert in HIV time period
- seroconvert -> become antibody positive
- begins as immune system responds to infection
- clinical latency
Describe what is going on during clinical latency in HIV
- immune system responds to infection -> seroconverts
- viral load decreases to “set point” then slowly rises over time
- CD4 T cell count slowly declines
- pt asymptomatic
- stage lasts average 10 yrs
symptomatic HIV is characterized by what two pathonmeunonic symptoms
- oral hairy leukoplakia : (EBV) seen in mouth
- Kaposi’s sarcoma
List common HIV related infections (CD4 T cell count around 500)
- Tuberculosis
- herpes simplex
- herpes zoster
- vaginal candidiasis