HIV Flashcards
1
Q
What is HIV?
A
Human immunodeficiency virus
2
Q
How is HIV transmitted?
A
Sexual
Infected blood
IV drug use
Vertical transmission
3
Q
What is the pathophysiology of HIV?
A
HIV binds to CD4 receptors on immune cells
Enters cell
- viral reverse transcriptase makes DNA copy of viral RNA
- viral integrase intergrates viral DNA into host DNA
- host produces viral proteins
4
Q
What are the symptoms of HIV?
A
Often asymptomatic
Generalised lymphadenopathy
Atypical infection
Fever
Malaise
5
Q
How is potential HIV investigated?
A
HIV test
CD4 count
HIV viral load
Serology
- hep B
- hep C
- hep A
- syphilis
FBC
U+Es
LFTs
6
Q
How is HIV manged?
A
Anti-retroviral agents
- nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors
- protease inhibitors
- non nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
7
Q
How is HIV classified?
A
CD4 count
8
Q
How are patients with a low CD4 count managed?
A
CD4 <200
- prescribed co-trimoxazole = prophylaxis for PCP
CD4 <50
- prescribed azithromycin = protection against MAI
- ophthalmology
9
Q
What vaccinations should HIV patients receive?
A
Hep B
Pneumococcus
Flu
10
Q
What are the complications of HIV?
A
PCP - pulmonay pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia Oral candidiasis CMV retinitis TB AIDS
