Session 7 Flashcards
What is consolidation on X-ray in a HIV patient likely due to?
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia.
How does HIV cause immunosuppression?
Infects CD4+ T cells and replicates in them before causing them to burst, therefore depleting CD4+ cell count and weakening the immune system.
How long may latent HIV infection last?
Up to 30 years.
When is a HIV patient most infective?
In the first 3 months after infection.
How is HIV transmitted?
Sexually; via sharing of injecting equipment; vertical transmission in utero, during childbirth or by breastfeeding; via medical procedures.
How can HIV be tested for?
Test for the HIV antigen or HIV antibody by blood sampling or oral saliva sampling.
How is HIV treated?
Give 2 NRTI drugs and an NNRTI drug to all infected patients. E.g. Tenofovir, abacavir and rilpivirine.
What can be targeted by drug therapy in HIV treatment?
Blocking HIV attachment to cells; preventing HIV copying its DNA to make more viruses; preventing immature HIV from maturing.
Who is at risk of contracting hepatitis?
Babies via vertical transmission; IV drug users; people in sexual contact with infected individuals; people with infected long term household contacts; healthcare workers due to needle stick injuries.
What symptoms does Hep B usually present with?
Jaundice, fatigue, abdo pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, arthralgia, elevated ALT/AST.
Are patients who have previously had Hep B but been cured now immune to the disease, why?
Yes, they produce antibodies which will remain with them for life and confer immunity.
Describe the serology of Hep B; i.e. which antibodies and antigens appear and in what order?
Surface antigen appears within 6 weeks (also raise in ALT); then e-antigen at the highly infectious stage; core antibody next and antigens start to disappear; e-antibody next and e-antigen disappears (no longer infective); surface antibody last (signals virus clearance and immunity); core antibody remains for life.
What defines a chronic infection of Hep B?
Presence of HBsAg after 6 months of infection.
What can chronic Hep B infection lead to?
Cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
How is chronic Hep B treated?
Life-long antivirals if required, some patients will be inactive carriers and not require any anti-viral treatment.
