HIV (not completed yet)

Question 1

What is seroconversion of HIV?

Answer 1

1. Seroconversion is the period of time during which HIV antibodies develop and become detectable.
2. Seroconversion generally takes place within a few weeks of initial infection.

Question 2

How does HIV seroconversion present?

Answer 2

1. symptomatic in 60-80% of patients and typically presents as a glandular fever type illness
2. Increased symptomatic severity is associated with poorer long term prognosis

Question 3

How soon does HIV seroconversion occur?

Answer 3

3 - 12 weeks after infection

Question 4

What are symptoms of HIV seroconversion?

Answer 4

1. Sore throat
2. lymphadenopathy
3. malaise, myalgia,
4. maculopapular rash
5. mouth ulcers
6. Glandular fever

Question 5

What are the two methods of HIV diagnosis?

Answer 5

1. HIV antibody test - most common and accurate test

2. p24 antigen test

Question 6

How does HIV be tested for in an asymptomatic patient?

Answer 6

1. Testing for HIV should be done 4 weeks after exposure

2. After an initial negative result when testing for HIV in an asymptomatic patient, offer a repeat test at 12 weeks

Question 7

Features of HIV antibody test?

Answer 7

1. Most common and accurate test
   usually consists of both a screening ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay) test and a confirmatory Western Blot Assay
2. Most people develop antibodies to HIV at 4-6 weeks but 99% do by 3 months

Question 8

Features of p24 antigen test?

Answer 8

1. usually positive from about 1 week to 3 - 4 weeks after infection with HIV

Question 9

CD4 cells > 500

Answer 9

Asymptomatic

Question 10

CD4 200 - 500 ( name 4 conditions )

Answer 10

1. Oral thrush
   - Secondary to Candida albicans
2. Shingles
   - Secondary to herpes zoster
3. Hairy leukoplakia
   - Secondary to EBV
4. Kaposi sarcoma
   - Secondary to HHV-8

Question 11

oesophageal candidiasis

Answer 11

1. Oesophageal candidiasis is the most common cause of oesophagitis in patients with HIV.
2. It is generally seen in patients with a CD4 count of less than 100.

Question 12

Symptoms of oesophageal candiasis?

Answer 12

Typical symptoms include dysphagia and odynophagia.

Question 13

Kaposi’s sarcoma - what is caused by?

Answer 13

1. caused by HHV-8 (human herpes virus 8)

Question 14

How does Kaposi’s sarcoma present?

Answer 14

1. presents as purple papules or plaques on the skin or mucosa (e.g. gastrointestinal and respiratory tract)
2. skin lesions may later ulcerate
   respiratory involvement may cause massive haemoptysis and pleural effusion

Question 15

What is the definition of AIDs?

Answer 15

CD4 < 200

Question 16

CD4 count 100 - 200 cells/mm³ - Name 2 AIDs defining conditions

Answer 16

1. Cryptosporidiosis

2. Pneumocystis jirovecci pneumonia

Question 17

Pneumocystis jirovecci pneumonia

Answer 17

1. PCP is the most common opportunistic infection in AIDS

2. all patients with a CD4 count < 200/mm³ should receive PCP prophylaxis

Question 18

What is Cryptosporidiosis?

Answer 18

1. is a parasitic disease caused by Cryptosporidium.
2. It affects the distal small intestine and can affect the respiratory tract
3. Results in watery diarrhea