HIV Flashcards
Define HIV?
Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
What is HIV transmitted by?
Sexual intercourse
Blood (and other body fluids
What is the aetiology of Sexual Intercourse-transmitted HIV?
Heterosexual intercourse is the MOST COMMON node of transmission
Homosexuals are at greater risk in the West
What are the examples of blood exchange and other bodily fluids for HIV?
Mother to child (intrauterine, childbirth, breastfeeding)
Needles
Blood transfusions
Organ transplantation
What is the pathophysiology of HIV?
HIV enters CD4+ lymphocytes by binding to their gp120 receptors
Reverse transcriptase allows the incorporation of HIV genetic material into the host genome
This leads to dissemination of HIV, cell death and eventual T-cell depletion
What is the epidemiology of HIV?
Increasing in incidence in Africa and Asia
What are the three phases of HIV?
Seroconversion
Early/Asymptomatic
AIDS
What is the Seroconversion phase of HIV?
Self-limiting Fever Night sweats Generalised lymphadenopathy Sore Throat Other symptoms
What are the other symptoms of the Seroconversion phase of HIV?
Oral Ulcers Rash Myalgia Headache Encephalitis Diarrhoea
What is the Early/Asyptomatic phase of HIV?
Apparently well
Some may have persistent lymphadenopathy
Progressive minor symptoms (e.g. rash, oral thrush, weight loss)
What is the AIDS?
Syndrome of secondary diseases resulting from immunodeficiency
What are the Direct Neurological effects of HIV infection?
Polyneuropathy
Dementia
What are the Direct Lung Effects of HIV infection?`
Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis
What are the Direct Heart Effects of HIV infection?
Cardiomyopathy
Myocarditis
What are the Direct Haematological effects of HIV infection?
Anaemia
Thrombocytopaenia
What are the Direct GI effects of HIV infection?
Anorexia
Wasting
What are the Direct effects on the eyes caused by HIV infection?
Cotton wool spots
What are the secondary effects resulting from immunodeficiency in HIV?
Bacterial Infection: TB, skin infections, pneumococcal infections
Viral: CMV, HSV, VZV, HPV, EBV
Fungal: Pneumocystic jirovecii pneumonia, Cryptococcus, candidiasis, invasive aspergillosis
Protozoal: toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidia
Tumours: Kaposi sarcoma, SCC, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
What are the types of HIV testing?
HIV antibodies, PCR for viral RNA, CD4 count, viral load
What are the investigations you do for HIV?
Pneumocystic Pneumonia - CXR Cryptococcal meningitis - brain CT or MRI, LP CMV (Colitis) - colonoscopy and biopsy Toxoplasmosis - brain CT or MRI Cryptosporidia - stool microscopy
