HIV Flashcards
HIV stands for…
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
What type of virus is HIV?
RNA retrovirus
How is HIV transmitted?
Sexual intercourse:
- vaginal
- anal
- oral
Blood products
IV drug use
Vertical transmission
Which cells do HIV affect?
CD4 T cells
Macrophages
Monocytes
Neurons
Describe the stages of HIV infection, from first infection to death?
Person infected with HIV
Seroconversion stage
- 2-6 weeks after exposure
Asymptomatic infection
- can last years
AIDS related complex
- symptoms that precede onset of AIDS
AIDS
- marked immunodeficiency
What will happen to the person during the seroconversion stage?
Often nothing, asymptomatic
Sometimes people get a period of mild fever malaise, myalgia, pharyngitis, Maculopapular rash
Symptoms experienced during AIDS related complex?
Opportunistic infections
Night sweats
High temperature
Diarrhoea
List some ways you can test for HIV.
P24 antigen is present in the blood in first 3 months
HIV RNA can be detected using PCR
IgM and IgG levels detectable
OraQuick: a method of detecting HIV antibodies in saliva
How should you monitor HIV?
Every 3 months
Test HIV RNA levels as they can predict progression to AIDs
CD4 count
What should all newly diagnosed HIV patients always be tested for?
TB Toxoplasma CMV Hep B + C Syphilis
List some AIDS defining conditions?
Kaposi sarcoma Lymphoma Thrombocytopenia Candidiasis CMV infections TB Toxoplasmosis Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia Wasting syndrome
Management of HIV?
HAART: highly active anti-retroviral therapy
Nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Protease inhibitor
Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
As well as other aspects of care
When should you start HAART therapy?
Patient with AIDS
Patient with CD4
Prevention of HIV?
PEP: post exposure prophylaxis can be taken within 72 hours of exposure
Use of condom, etc.
Prevention of transmission from mother to baby?
HIV+ mothers should take anti-retrovirals
Consider caesarean
Abstain from breast feeding
These measures reduce risk to about 2%
