Session 8 - HIV Flashcards
how will severe HIV typically present
fever and dry cough, weight loss, skin lesions (Kaposi’s sarcoma), sore mouth with white patches (oral candidiasis), PCP
what are the outcomes of HIV
death or chronic infection (no cure)
what is the structure of the HIV virus
- RNA or DNA
- protein capsule to protect the genome
- lipid envelope containing antigens
why is HIV a reterovirus
as it converts it’s ssRNA into DNA and back into ssRNA
what cells does HIV infect
cells with CD4 surface receptor - T-helper lymphocytes
what happens to HIV virus when it enters the host cell
the virus fuses with the cells and empties its contents
reverse transcriptase then converts the ssRNA into DNA
viral DNA is then integrated into the hosts DNA by the integrase enzyme
viral DNA is transcribed
viral proteins are produced which destroys the cells and causes inflammation
what happens to the HIV virus after it offloads its contents into the host cell
it buds off taking with it the produced protein chains and infects more cells
how is HIV spread
- sexual contact
- transfusion
- contaminated needles
- vertical transmission
what is the CD4 count for severe HIV/AIDS
below 200
what is the CD4 count for asymptomatic HIV
above 500
what can HIV cause
- liver/spleen enlargement
- nausea and vomiting
- rash
- lymphadenopathy
- headache
- fever
- weight loss
- pharyngitis
what is the life expectancy of someone with HIV
normal - 77 years
with treatment, early detection, healthy living
what diagnostic tests are there
blood tests can be done to look at antigen, antibody levels
PCR can be used to detect HIV nucleic acid
what are the advantages of PCR for detecting HIV
highly sensitive, detects very early infection but is expensive
what are used to treat HIV
2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
and 1 of either; protease inhibitor or integrase inhibitor
what strategies are used to prevent HIV
condoms, ARVs as prevention, PEP, prevention of vertical transmission
What is Kaposi’s sarcoma
Red patches on the skin
What organisms are HIV patients particularly at risk from
Fungi and viruses
In the UK are more women or men affected by HIV
Men
What does HIV stand for
Human immunodeficiency virus
What happens due to the HIV replicating inside of cells
It destroys the cell, causes inflammation then spreads to infect more cells
True or false - only small quantities of fluids need to be passed on from transmission of HIV
False - relatively large amounts are required
What happens during the primary infection of HIV
The viral loads increases dramatically where it detected giving a response - levels then fall as immune system give a stable level
Temporary drop in CD4 cells
Symptoms include flu, headache, rash, sore throat, muscle aches
What happens during the latent infection stage
The virus replicates at very low levels
No or mild symptoms
