Lecture 14 - HCV and HIV

Question 1

Briefly describe what is hepatitis C, causes, transmission and treatment

Answer 1

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that predominantly affects the liver. It is a single enveloped stranded RNA virus that is responsible for causing tiredness, loss of weight and nausea. The liver reduces bilirubin which causes Jaundice. Its transmission is mainly through parenteral through blood such as drug use with needles. It is not really transmitted through sexual activity. Its main treatment is 11 drugs over the course of 12 weeks with new liver transplant.

Question 2

What is HIV, how is it transmitted and what are the treatments?

Answer 2

HIV is short for human immunodeficiency virus. It is transmitted through sexual activity. HIV can progress to AIDS which a is life threatening condition.

Question 3

What are the sites of treatment for HIV?

Answer 3

The sites for treatment entry inhibitors, reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors.