W4 17 blood borne viruses Flashcards
What does an undetectable viral load mean in HIV?
That people can’t pass it on, and it should stop AIDs progression. Testing is important.
What is normal CD4 count?
> 500
What is the CD4 count in HIV?
<350
What is the main mechanism of the HIV virus?
Attacks CD4 cells, and infects them
How does HIV weaken the immune system?
In the first 12 weeks, immune system doesn’t recognise the HIV replicating immensely.
It picks up on this and patient will present with flu-like symptoms - temp, sore through, rash, cough unwellness etc
This gets better since the immune system starts to contain the virus, but isn’t able to eradicate it
Virus weakens the immune system. 8-10years in, AIDS will develop.
The immune cells will start to kill the CD4 cells, destroying the immune system
What do anti-retroviral drugs do?
Drastically decreases the viral load, so virus can’t fight the immune system
The bone marrow constantly generates new cells, so after a gap, CD4 count starts to increased again.
Treatments need to be taken everyday for rest of life. What happens if you interrupt the medication?
It will give the virus a chance to become resistant to the medication, and new medication will be needed.
What are some defining elements of HIV/definitions conditions of AIDS?
Retina will be damaged, along with vision. Bacterial pneumonia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, oral Candida, hep B and C, lymphadenopathy, herpes zoster, unexplained leukocytopenia/thrombocytopenia lasting >4 weeks. Should test in these cases.
(Long lists on pg198/199)
What are some conditions that require aggressive immunosuppressive therapy, and not identifying the presence of HIV might have adverse implications for the individuals clinical management?
Cancer, transplantation, auto-immune disease treated with immunosuppressive therapy.
Primary space occupying lesion of the brain (not immunosuppressive therapy)
Idiopathic/thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (not immunosuppressive therapy)
