HIV Infection and AIDS Flashcards
Describe the course of HIV infection
- Acute retroviral HIV infection
- Clinical Latency (HIV Inactivity or Dormancy)
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Living with HIV
What are the 4 critical areas of focus for ongoing HIV prevention, care and research for the NHAS?
- Widespread testing and linkage to care
- Support for PLWH to remain engaged in comprehensive treatment
- Universal viral suppression
- Full access to comprehensive pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services
What are the 4 critical areas of focus for ongoing HIV prevention, care and research for the NHAS?
- Widespread testing and linkage to care
- Support for PLWH to remain engaged in comprehensive treatment
- Universal viral suppression
- Full access to comprehensive pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services
What is HIV?
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- Can lead to AIDS if not treated
- Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV completely, even with treatment. Once you get HIV, you have it for life.
HIV attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells (T cells), which help the immune system fight off infections.
Untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells (T Cells) in the body, making the person more likely to get other infections or infection-related cancers.
With proper medical care, HIV can be controlled.
Define Retrovirus
HIV belongs to a group of unusual viruses called retroviruses.
Retroviruses reverse the way nucleic acid is made during replication by using an enzyme (transcriptase). As the virus attaches to a healthy cells, it injects its viral RNA into the cell.
Reverse Transcription
Through a process called reverse transcription, and using the reverse transcriptase enzyme, the viral RNA produces a DNA copy of itself which is duplicated into a double-stranded DNA structure.
The viral DNA copy is then transported to the nucleus of the healthy cell, where it integrates into chromosomal DNA.
What makes developing a cure for HIV difficult?
The ability of HIV to integrate its DNA into human cell DNA makes the development of a cure challenging because proviral HIV DNA needs to be eliminated without damaging human DNA.
How fast does HIV replicate?
Very rapidly - about every 2 days
The typical infected person who is not taking Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has about one billion replications per day.
How fast does HIV replicate?
Very rapidly - about every 2 days
The typical infected person who is not taking Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has about one billion replications per day.
How fast does HIV replicate?
Very rapidly - about every 2 days
The typical infected person who is not taking Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has about one billion replications per day.
What are the primary organs of the immune system?
“lymphoid” organs
- Spleen
- Tonsils
- Adenoids
- Gut
- Appendix
- Lymph Nodes
What are the two major classes of lymphocytes?
B Cells and T Cells
B Cells -
Produce antibody to foreign antigens (such as those on the surfaces of bacteria or viruses). They either destroy the cells or mark them for destruction by other immune cells.
T Cells -
Carry most of the burden of fighting viral infections. Attack and destroy cells recognized as being foreign
Can also orchestrated, regulate, and coordinate the overall immune response.
How does an HIV infection work?
HIV does not infect all cells of the body - only cells with specific receptors to which it can attach.
After infecting the immune system, HIV often destroys the very system designed to protect the body from foreign invaders. if successful, HIV and other organisms can then replicate and cause disease with little or no effective response by the immune system.
The cells that HIV infects have a surface receptor called:
CD4+
T-helper cells in the immune system have this receptor. HIV can attack and destroy these cells faster than the body can make new ones.
What happens when enough T-helper cells are destroyed?
The immune system deteriorates. Functions like the ability to develop antibodies to new antigens, normal macrophage function to engulf and destroy microorganisms, and production of chemical messengers like interferon and interleukin which aid the immune response, are impaired.
What happens when enough T-helper cells are destroyed?
The immune system deteriorates. Functions like the ability to develop antibodies to new antigens, normal macrophage function to engulf and destroy microorganisms, and production of chemical messengers like interferon and interleukin which aid the immune response, are impaired.
What bodily fluids can transmit HIV?
- Blood
- Semen
- Pre-seminal Fluid
- Rectal Fluids
- Vaginal Fluids
- Breast Milk
Virus has been found in urine, but transmission after contact has not been reported.
What are the common ways HIV is transmitted?
- Condomless sex (vaginal or anal)
- Sharing of needles and syringes
- Mother to child during pregnancy or the birth process
- Breast feeding
- Transfusion of blood or blood products
- Transplantation of tissues and organs
What is the riskiest type of sex for getting or transmitting HIV?
Anal sex. Bottoming more risky than topping.
Lining of the rectum is thin and may allow HIV to enter the body during anal sex
What increases your risk of contracting or transmitting HIV?
Having an STD, urethritis,a genital ulcer, or having a sore or break in the skin from an STD.
What increases your risk of contracting or transmitting HIV?
Having an STD, urethritis,a genital ulcer, or having a sore or break in the skin from an STD.
How long can HIV live in a used needle?
Up to 42 days depending on temperatures and other factors
What are some ways HIV is NOT spread?
Casual contact with HIV-infected persons shaking hands sharing bathrooms working with an HIV-infected individual Food, water, and biting insects such as mosquitoes are not vehicles for HIV infection
What is the estimated percentage of people that don’t know they have HIV?
Of the estimated million + people with HIV in the United States, 1 in 7 (15%) do not know they are infected
Statistically, who is most affected by HIV?
Gay and bisexual men of all races, African Americans, Hispanics / Latinos.
In 2014, gay and bisexual men accounted for 70% of all new HIV infections.
Heterosexual sex made up less than 25%
Injection drugs made up less than 5%
44% African Americans, 26% whites, 25% Hispanics / Latinos
Stage 1:
Acute retroviral HIV infection
Within 2 to 4 weeks after infection, people may experience a flu-like illness, which may last for a few weeks. This is the body’s natural response to the infection
People are very contagious when they are in stage 1.
To know whether someone has acute infection, either a foureth-generation antibody/antigen test or a nucleic acid (NAT) test is necessary