TB and HIV

Question 1

What happens to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis upon entering the body?

Answer 1

Engulfed by phagocytes inside lungs
They survive and reproduce inside the phagocytes
TB does not develop yet - primary infection
With time, infected phagocytes become encased in Tubercules and lay dormant
At some point can overpower the immune system and become active - active phase

Question 2

What are the symptoms of TB?

Answer 2

Fever
Cough
Fatigue
Lung inflammation
If untreated can cause organ failure and eventual death
Damage to lungs - can cause respiratory failure

Question 3

What kind of virus is HIV?

Answer 3

Retrovirus

Question 4

How can HIV spread?

Answer 4

Sexual intercourse
Blood donation
Sharing of needles used by intravenous drug users
From mother to child across the placenta
Mixing of blood between mother and child during birth
From mother to child through breast milk

Question 5

What does HIV do upon entering the body?

Answer 5

It attaches to receptor molecules (CD4 receptors) on the cell membrane of helper T cells
Capsid enters the cell and releases its RNA
Viral RNA is used to create a complementary strand of DNA using the enzyme reverse transcriptase
This single strand is converted into a double strand and inserted into the DNA of the host cell, the helper T cell
New viruses are assembled within the host cell using the host cell’s components
Cell lysis - viruses enter blood stream and infect other cells

Question 6

What is the first stage of HIV?

Answer 6

Acute HIV syndrome

Question 7

What is the second stage of HIV?

Answer 7

Asymptomatic or chronic stage

Question 8

What is the final stage of HIV?

Answer 8

Advanced AIDS

Question 9

What are the roles of helper T cells in the specific response?

Answer 9

Stimulate B cells
Stimulate antibody production
Increase rate of phagocytosis

Question 10

How are symptoms of AIDS brought about?

Answer 10

Immediately after the infection patient experiences mild flu like symptoms
As virus remains dormant for a while patient is asymptomatic
Once the virus activates, it destroys and reduces the number of helper T cells which play an important role in the specific response
Immunocompromised patient cannot fight off any infection
Opportunistic infections can take over