HIV/AIDS Flashcards
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
AIDS
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
What is AIDS?
Result of longstanding immunosuppression due to the untreated HIV that results in:
- Opportunistic infections
- Secondary neoplasms
What defines AIDS?
CD4 count < 200
AND/OR
Presence of an AIDS-defining illness
From riskiest to least risky, what types of sex are the most common forms of HIV spread?
- Receptive anal sex
- Insertive anal sex
- Receptive vaginal sex
- Insertive vaginal sex
Top ways for HIV to be spread?
Sex
Needles
Mother to baby
HIV disproportionately affects what populations?
Males who have sex with males and African Americans
Describe the pathogenesis of HIV
- Infection of mucosal tissues
- Virus spreads to lymph nodes
- Virus spreads throughout the body (ACUTE)
- Antibodies are made to get partial control of the viral replication
- Clinical latency (CHRONIC)
- AIDS
What causes HIV to transition from the clinical latency phase to AIDS?
Opportunistic infections that increase the viral load and kill off the remaining CD4 T cells
When does the Acute phase occur and what are the symptoms?
Within weeks of infection
- Flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, rash)
When does the Chronic phase occur and what are the symptoms?
Can last for years
- ASYMPTOMATIC
When does AIDS occur and what are the symptoms?
Variable timing
- Fever, weight loss, night sweats, symptoms of opportunistic infections
In order from earliest (+) to latest, what are the 3 tests to diagnose HIV?
- HIV RNA PCR/ HIV NAAT/ Viral load
- HIV p24 antigen
- HIV antibody test
In order from earliest (+) to latest, what are the 3 tests to diagnose HIV?
- HIV RNA PCR/ HIV NAAT/ Viral load
- HIV p24 antigen
- HIV antibody test
What tests will be (+) during the Acute Phase?
- HIV RNA PCR/HIV NAAT/Viral load
- p24 antigen
What test will be (-) during the Acute Phase?
HIV antibody test
What is the Window Period?
Time during early infection before the HIV antibody test is (+)
In the algorithm for HIV diagnosis, what is performed first?
HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab combination Immunoassay
p24 antigen + HIV antibody
If the HIV-1/2 Ag/Ab combination Immunoassay comes back (+), what is performed next?
HIV-1/2 antibody differentiation Immunoassay
The HIV-1/2 antibody differentiation Immunoassay can differentiate between?
HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections
If the HIV-1/2 antibody differentiation Immunoassay comes back (-) or indeterminate, what is performed next?
HIV NAAT (viral load/HIV RNA PCR)
If the HIV NAAT comes back (+) the diagnosis is?
HIV-1 infection
What is the best indicator of immunologic function to monitor HIV?
CD4 count
CD4 count can _____ day to day
fluctuate
