Lecture 8 - HIV/AIDS

Question 1

What is HIV?

Answer 1

Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Being positive just means being positive to the HIV antibody. This virus can LEAD to aids.

Question 2

What are the 3 ways HIV can be transmitted? Give examples for each.

Answer 2

1. Blood transmission - shared use of needles/syringes (or needle injury) which injects antibody in to system, blood transfusion, via tattoo/piercing or contaminating open cuts (however this is very rare.
2. Vertical Transmission - across placenta in womb, during delivery or via breast milk.
3. Sexual transmission - unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse (both high risk) or oral sex (low risk).

Question 3

What is PEP versus PREP?

Answer 3

PEP = POST-exposure Prophylaxis is a preventative medical treatment which is started immediately after exposure in order to prevent infection by the pathogen and prevent development of disease. Similar to morning after pill.
PREP = Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis is for someone who is at HIGH RISK of obtaining HIV and taking this pill reduces this risk.

Question 4

What is EPIC-nsw

Answer 4

Is a study which is involved in Expanding PrEP Implementation in Communities over 20 sites across NSW. Goal of EPIC-nsw is see the impact of PrEP on the community and whether it will lead to a drop in new HIV infections.

Question 5

What are the treatments for HIV?

Answer 5

There are many treatments for HIV which fall under Antiretrovial Treatment or ART - which are mainly all inhibitors of some sort. All HIV treatments prevent HIV from copying which reduces amount of HIV in body and can also reduce the risk of HIV progressing towards AIDs.
The newest being CCR5 however have to have the genome mutation to be treated with this. All treatments have many possible side effects including diarrhea, nausea, headaches, insomnia, weakness etc.

Question 6

What are the 3 stages of HIV?

Answer 6

1. Category A: One or more of following: acute primary infection, asymptomatic HIV infection (eg do not show symptoms) and persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (constant swelling in glands).
2. Category B: HIV symptomatic (symptoms that are not including in category C) eg weight loss, unexplained persistent fatigue, diarrhea, deep cracks on tongue, night sweats, fever, chills etc
3. Category C: diagnosis of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) - defined as having

Question 7

What is AIDS?

Answer 7

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome that allows opportunistic infections to manifest which can sometimes lead to death.

Question 8

What is the main way HIV is transmitted?

Answer 8

Approx 2/3 (66%) male-male sex, approx 1/3 (25%) - male-female sex, and remainder were undetermined (7%) and injecting drug use (3%).

Question 9

What are the trends of HIV?

Answer 9

Steady decline of AIDS diagnoses after 1994 where medications were more readily available however HIV diagnoses increased from 2000-current but not sure why?

Question 10

What are the long term implications for someone living with HIV?

Answer 10

Medical or HIV symptom related - eg nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, weight loss, fatigue, diarrhea, osteoperosis, higher risk of CVD, loss of teeth, pain + Psychosocial impact - isolation, discrimination, stigma, anxiety, dperession

Question 11

What is the Public Health Act 1991 and why is this important?

Answer 11

Says that confidentiality is important when finding out someone is HIV positive (must take all reasonable steps to prevent disclosure). Criminal offense of $5000 if this is breached. This is important because HIV has affected population who is already stigmatized or marginalized for being gay or being a drug user. Confidentiality is needed for testing, education, counseling and treatment.

Question 12

What is the Commonwealth Disability Act (1993)?

Answer 12

States that discrimination of someone with HIV/AIDS is unlawful

Question 13

What is the Sexual Trichotomy Model?

Answer 13

A model which presents sexual identity, sexual orientation and sexual behavior as fluid with capacity to change over time.