Immune System

Question 1

What is an antigen?

Answer 1

A foreign molecule that elicits the immune response

Question 2

_____ and _____ are the primary cells of the immune system.

Answer 2

T lymphocytes

B lymphocytes

Question 3

_____ serve as the master regulators of the immune response by influencing the function of all other immune cells.

Answer 3

CD molecules

Question 4

What is the primary central gland of the immune system? What does is produce?

Answer 4

Thymus gland

Produces mature T lymphocytes

Question 5

What is the function of lymph nodes?

Answer 5

Filter the lymph and trap antigens

Question 6

What types of cells are formed in lymph nodes? (3)

Answer 6

Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Plasma cells

Question 7

What are 2 functions of the spleen?

Answer 7

1. Filter antigens from the blood

2. Produces leukocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes and plasma cells in response to infection

Question 8

What is the immune response?

Answer 8

A coordinated response of the body’s cells and molecules that provides protection from infectious disease and foreign substances. it also defends against abnormal cells produced by the body (cancer)

Question 9

Excessive immune response causes _____ or _____.

Answer 9

Allergies

Autoimmune reactions

Question 10

What is the difference between primary and secondary immunodeficiency diseases? Provide examples of each.

Answer 10

Primary = result from a defect in T cells, B cells and lymphoid tissue (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency disease)

Secondary = caused by underlying pathology or treatment that depresses the immune system, resulting in failure of the immune response (i.e. Leukemia, chronic diabetes, chemotherapy, cirrhosis)

Question 11

What is an autoimmune disease?

Answer 11

Characterized by immune system responses directed against the body’s normal tissues; self destructive processes impair body function

Question 12

Describe the pathophysiology of HIV. (3)

Answer 12

1. Caused by a virus that weakens the immune system
2. Reduction of CD4 helper T cells = major defect in immune system
3. A retrovirus that replicates in reverse fashion (RNA code is transcribed into DNA)

Question 13

Describe the 3 stages of HIV.

Answer 13

Stage 1 Acute HIV infection: flu-like illness within 2-4 weeks after infection

Stage 2 clinical latency: asymptomatic HIV infection or chronic HIV infection; can last a decade or longer

Stage 3 AIDS: most severe phase; over time, HIV destroys so many cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease, resulting in opportunistic illness

Question 14

How is HIV transmitted?

Answer 14

Through contact with certain bodily fluids (blood, semen, rectal/vaginal fluids and breast milk) from a person who has HIV.

Fluid must come in contact with a mucous membrane, damaged tissue, or be directly injected into the blood stream

Question 15

How is HIV diagnosed?

Answer 15

Requires positive results from 2 HIV tests.

CD4 cell count: 500-1200 cells/mm
Testing with HIV-1/HIV-2 antigen/antibody combination immunoassays

Question 16

How is AIDS diagnosed?

Answer 16

CD4 cell count drops below 200 cells/mm or if they develop certain opportunistic illnesses

Question 17

List 6 signs and symptoms of HIV.

Answer 17

1. Recurrent fever and chills
2. Night sweats
3. Swollen lymph glands
4. Sore throat
5. Rash
6. Muscle aches

Question 18

List 5 signs and symptoms associated with AIDS.

Answer 18

1. Symptoms associated with HIV + failure to thrive
2. Opportunistic infections (i.e. pneumocystis pneumonia candidiasis, cytomegalovirus)
3. Malignancies (i.e. sarcoma and lymphoma)
4. Neurological conditions (focal encephalitis, cryptococcal meningitis, herpes)
5. Deconditioning, anxiety and depression are common

Question 19

Is there a cure for HIV?

Answer 19

No, there is no cure. Without treatment nearly every person will progress to AIDS.

Question 20

______ are used to treat HIV.

Answer 20

Antiretroviral therapies (reduce the amount of virus in the system)

Question 21

List 9 signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Answer 21

1. Profound or prolonged fatigue; post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours
2. Sore throat that is frequent or recurring
3. Tender lymph nodes
4. Muscle pain (myalgia)
5. Sleep that is not refreshing
6. Headaches of new type, pattern or severity
7. Multi joint pain (arthralgias) without swelling or redness
8. Significant impairments of short term memory or concentration
9. Deconditioning, anxiety and depression are common

Question 22

What 2 major criteria must a patient have to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome?

Answer 22

1. New onset of persistent or relapsing fatigue; must be present for at least 6 months; does not resolve with bedrest and reduces daily activity by at least 50%
2. Exclusion of other chronic conditions

Question 23

What is contraindicated for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome?

Answer 23

BED REST other than for sleep

Question 24

List 5 signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Answer 24

1. Myalgia (muscle pain)
2. Generalized aching, persistent fatigue (mental and physical)
3. Sleep disturbances with generalized morning stiffness
4. Multiple tender points (trigger points)
5. Anxiety and depression are common

Question 25

What are 2 criteria that must be met to diagnose fibromyalgia?

Answer 25

1. Widespread pain lasting at least 3 months

2. Presence of 11 positive tender points out of a total of 18

Question 26

What type of exercise is ideal for patients with fibromyalgia?

Answer 26

Aquatic therapy (warm water exercise) is ideal to decrease pain and increase cardiovascular conditioning and strength