HIV/AIDS Dr. Naqvi Flashcards
set of symptoms infections and malignancy resulting from the damage to the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus
acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
what does HIV attack
CD4 T helper lymphocytes
another indicator of AIDS
CD4 count very low
HIV/AIDS transmission
- sexual contact
- infected blood, like transfusions
- shared needles
- occupational exposures
- perinatal transmission
HIV infections transmitted largely by
MSM
HIV integrates into the host cell genome, and long lived cells can serve as a…
reservoir of virus
most persons who develop HIV infection experience an acute symptomatic illness, referred to as ___________, within a few weeks of acquiring the infection.
acute retroviral syndrome
patients with acute infection may not yet be producing antibodies against HIV antigen which results in negative results on traditional HIV serologic testing
window period
what should you check during window period
P24 CA
how is AIDS diagnosed
- when indicator opportunistic infections or malignancies develop
- when CD4 cell count falls below 200
chronic HIV/AIDS symptoms
- lymphadenopathy
- fever, night sweats
- fatigue
- weight loss
- chronic diarrhea
- seb derm, psoriasis, tinea, onychomycosis
- oral apthous ulcers
- peripheral neuropathy
some indications for HIV testing
- age 13-75
- history of at risk behavior
- symptoms of acute or chronic HIV infection
- known or suspected exposure
- blood/semen/organ donor
what diagnostic tests are done for HIV
- combination HIV antibody-HIV p24 antigen testing
–> diagnoses infection within 12-16 days of infection - older enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibody tests (followed by confirmatory western blot)
–> becomes positive 3 to 4 weeks after acute infection and remain the test of choice in screening for chronic infection
- positive as early as 3-5 days after acute infection
- test of choice in diagnosis of acute HIV infection
- correlates with rate of disease progression
- used to follow response to antiretroviral therapy (ART)
HIV RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
measurement of immunodeficiency
diagnostic testing: CD4 count
- detects mutations that confer resistance to ART
- should be obtained as part of initial panel of tests for an individual with HIV
- in the US, 10% to 20% of patients with new HIV infection have transmitted resistance to at least one class of antiretroviral medications
diagnostic testing: HIV genotype
when should repeat testing (HIV viral load, CD4 cell count, complete blood count, and tests of kidney function and liver chemistries) be done
- before any modification in current therapy
- 2-8 weeks after starting or changing therapy
- every 3 to 6 months in patients who remain stable with their current therapy
although patients with HIV infection generally should not receive live vaccines what is the exception
measles-mumps-rubella and varicella vaccines are considered safe for those with CD4 cell counts greater than 200
prophylaxis against opportunistic infection pneumocystis jirovecii in HIV/AIDS
TMP-SMX, double strength tablet
prophylaxis against opportunistic infection toxoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS
TMP-SMX, double strength tablet