HIV virology

Question 1

What is the route of infection in HIV in africa?

Answer 1

Sexual
Vertical
Unscreened blood

Question 2

HIV is most common in which groups in the UK?

Answer 2

Males > Females
MSM
Heterosexual infected abroad
IVDA

Question 3

What is the most common HIV virus?

Answer 3

HIV-1 group M

Question 4

How does HIV work?

Answer 4

Attach to CD4 (Helper) Lymphocytes
Reverse transcriptase to replicate
Integrase facilitates integration
Protease enzyme for progeny

Question 5

What are the impacts of HIV being a retrovirus?

Answer 5

Reverse transcriptase
Poor accuracy = virus diversity
Persistent cell infection

Question 6

What type of virus is HIV?

Answer 6

Retrovirus (lentivirus)

Question 7

HIV has what type of genome?

Answer 7

2 chains of RNA

Question 8

How is HIV diagnosed?

Answer 8

Antigen/antibody testing

ELISA assay

Question 9

How is HIV infection monitored?

Answer 9

Viral load
HIV resistance testing
Avidity/tropism testing
Drug levels 
Subtype determination

Question 10

What is the diagnostic window?

Answer 10

The point between exposure seroconversion during which infection cannot be detected
1 month

Question 11

What is the role of viral load testing?

Answer 11

Detect HIV RNA

Monitor effectiveness of treatment

Question 12

What is the role of HIV resistance testing?

Answer 12

Identify mutations and which drugs to use
At diagnosis
If treatment fails/poorly responds

Question 13

How is HIV infection monitored?

Answer 13

CD4 count
HIV viral load
Clinical features

Question 14

What are the risks of transmission to healthcare workers?

Answer 14

Percutaneous exposure

Mucocutaneous exposure

Question 15

What actions should be taken after exposure to blood/body fluid?

Answer 15

Wash off
Encourage bleeding
Wash out eye/nose/mouth
Report to doctor and OHS

Question 16

How is risk of healthcare transmission assessed?

Answer 16

Source of contamination
Extent of injury 
Likelihood of HIV/Hep B/C in source
Vaccination History
Test the source