Sexually Transmitted Infections

Question 1

How long does it take to present with HIV antibodies after infection?

Answer 1

Up to 3 months

Question 2

How does HIV infection affect CD4+ count?

Answer 2

Increased viral replication leads to a decrease in CD4+ count

Question 3

How does HIV cause disease?

Answer 3

HIV infects CD4+ T cells (helper), macrophages and dendritic cells causing progressive immunosuppression

Question 4

Define ‘seroconversion’

Answer 4

The time period during which a specific antibody develops and becomes detectable in the blood

Question 5

How is HIV infection treated?

Answer 5

Antiretrovirals - to suppress replication, recovery CD4+, immune reconstitution and long-term reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality

Question 6

What are the principles behind the antiretroviral therapy used in the treatment of HIV?

Answer 6

Act during the viral replication cycle to prevent production of new HIV particles

Question 7

What does HAART stand for?

Answer 7

Highly active antiretroviral therapy

Question 8

Name examples of targets used in the treatment of HIV

Answer 8

Fusion inhibitor, co-receptor antagonist, nucleoside RT inhibitor, non-nucleoside RT inhibitor, integrase inhibitor or protease inhibitor

Question 9

What are the side-effects of HAART treatment?

Answer 9

Short-term: nausea and sleep distrubance

Long-term: lipodystrophy, renal dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy and lactic acidosis

Question 10

What causes genital warts?

Answer 10

Human papillomavirus 6/11

Question 11

How does genital warts present?

Answer 11

Small fleshy growth that appear around genital/anal area caused by HPV

Question 12

How are genital warts treated?

Answer 12

Topic podophyllotoxon, imiquimod

Question 13

What causes chlamydia?

Answer 13

Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria

Question 14

How may chlamydia present in women?

Answer 14

Pain/burning urinating, vaginal discharge, pain in lower abdomen during or after sex, bleeding during or after sex

Question 15

How may chlamydia present in men?

Answer 15

Pain/burning when urinating, white/cloudy/watery discharge from tip of penis and pain/tenderness in the testicles

Question 16

What are the potential complications of chlamydia infection?

Answer 16

Reactive arthritis or infertility

Question 17

What is the treatment for chlamydia?

Answer 17

Azithromycin and doxycycline

Question 18

What causes gonorrhoea?

Answer 18

Neisseria gonorrhoea bacteria

Question 19

How may gonorrhoea present in women?

Answer 19

Pain or a burning sensation when urinating, a vaginal discharge (often watery, yellow or green), pain in the lower abdomen during or after sex, and bleeding during or after sex or between periods, sometimes causing heavy periods.

Question 20

How may gonorrhoea present in men?

Answer 20

pain or a burning sensation when urinating, a white, yellow or green discharge from the tip of the penis, and pain or tenderness in the testicles.

Question 21

How is gonorrhoea treated?

Answer 21

Ceftriaxone

Question 22

How does genital herpes present?

Answer 22

Small painful blisters/sores

Question 23

What virus is responsible for genital herpes?

Answer 23

HSV-2

Question 24

How is genital herpes treated?

Answer 24

Aciclovir etc.

Question 25

What causes syphilis?

Answer 25

Treponema pallidum bacteria

Question 26

What are the symptoms/signs of syphilis?

Answer 26

Early: highly infectious sores on genitals or around mouth
Later: rash, flu-like illness, patchy hair loss
Late: heart problems, paralysis and blindness

Question 27

How is syphilis treated?

Answer 27

Penicillin and doxycycline