infectious disease

Question 1

how can HIV be transmitted?

Answer 1

blood, semen, vaginal fluid, breast milk

Question 2

how long is the incubation period of HIV upon primary infection?

Answer 2

2 - 4 weeks long

Question 3

what is the investigative protocol for a suspected HIV case?

Answer 3

screening test: HIV elisa test
if positive, confirm with reference test western blot in 3 months time
if negative, (high risk) repeat tests in 2 - 3 weeks, (low risk) repeat tests in 3 months

Question 4

what is the clinical manifestation of primary HIV infection?

Answer 4

it is described as the worst flu ever: fever, pharyngitis, muscle ache, lymphadenopathy, headache, n/v, joint pain, rashes

Question 5

what are the benefits of HAART treatment?

Answer 5

prevents transmission
slows progression to AIDS
can delay, prevent, or reverse some HIV related complications
improve patients w/ opportunistic infections