HIV and AIDS Flashcards
What does HIV bind to on WBCs?
CD4
What protein does HIV use to bind to CD4?
GP120
What happens to the infected cell after HIV enters it?
Migrates to lymphoid tissue
Replicates
What does the virus do inside the immune cell?
Uses reverse transcriptase to create DNA from viral RNA (it’s a retrovirus) and then integrates into the cells DNA to be transcribed and translated
What happens once the cell has produced lots of HIV virons?
The virus uses protease to mature
The virus then leaves the cell via budding
What is the first stage of HIV infection?
Primary stage
What symptoms may be present at the primary stage?
Similar to the glandj
- Rash
- Lymphadenopathy
- Pharyngitis
What test can be done in the primary phase?
ACUTE PHASE SERUM
- Test for HIV antigen
What are the findings on early and late acute phase serums?
- Early sample = antigen positive antigen negative
- Late sample = antibody positive
What stage follows the primary stage?
Seroconversion stage
What is the definition of the seroconversion phase?
Time taken for antibodies to be detectable in the blood
When does the seroconversion phase occur?
2-6 weeks post exposure
What symptoms can occur in the seroconversion phase?
- Fever
- Malaise
- Pharyngitis
- MACULOPAPULAR RASH
What does a short non severe seroconversion phase indicate?
Good prognosis
What does a long or severe seroconversion phase mean?
Poor prognosis
What happens to the viral load at the start of the seroconversion phase?
Very very low –> progressively overtakes antibodies over years
