Question | Answer |
What is HIV? | Human immunodeficiency virus |
What type of virus is HIV? | Retrovirus |
What is reverse transcriptase? | An enzyme that transforms the RNA of HIV into a single strand of DNA |
How does HIV integrate into the host's genetic structure? | Through the enzyme integrase |
How many stages exist in untreated HIV? | 3 |
What is Stage 1 of HIV infection? | Acute HIV infection |
What are the signs and symptoms of acute (Stage 1) HIV infection? | Within 2-4 weeks of infection, patients experience flu-like illness |
What are diagnostic tests to diagnose acute HIV infection? | Either a fourth generation antibody/antigen test or a nucleic acid test (NAT) |
When are patients with HIV most infectious? | During the acute (stage 1) phase |
What are possible neurologic complications with acute HIV infection? | Aseptic meningitis, peripheral neuropathy, facial palsy, or Guillan-Barre syndrome |
What is Stage 2 of HIV infection? | Clinical latency (Inactivity or dormancy) |
What are signs and symptoms during Stage 2 of HIV infection? | Patients are asymptomatic |
How long is the interval between initial HIV infection and diagnosis of AIDS in untreated infection? | Generally 10 years |
What is Stage 3 of HIV infection? | Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) |
What are common signs and symptoms of AIDS? | Persistent fever, chills, sweats, swollen lymph nodes, chronic diarrhea, recurrent headaches, weight loss, and severe fatigue |
What is the required CD4+ T cell count required by the CDC to diagnose AIDS? | Less than 200 cells |
How does the enzyme protease affect HIV? | It's involved in the replication process of the viral DNA, allowing it to spread |
What virus causes Kaposi sarcoma? | Human herpesvirus 8 |
What is a common cancer associated with AIDS? | Kaposi sarcoma |
How does Kaposi sarcoma appear? | As purple, brown, or red tumors (called lesions) on the skin and mucosal surfaces |
Do the lesions of Kaposi sarcoma usually cause symptoms? | No |
If HIV positive, what antigen is produced before antibodies develop? | p24 |
What is the normal range of CD4+ T cells? | 800-1200 cells |
True or False: No test can detect HIV immediately after exposure. | True |
Who is more likely to get HIV: A circumcised man or an uncircumcised man? | An uncircumcised man |
If an HIV-positive woman has an undetectable viral load, can she safely breastfeed? | No; her breast milk can still transmit HIV |
What is PrEP? | Pre-exposure prophylaxis is a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy to reduce the risk of sexually-acquired HIV in high risk patients |
What drugs are used in PrEP? | A combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine (Truvada) |
What is PEP? | Post-exposure prophylaxis; taking antiretrovirals (ART) after being potentially exposed HIV |
When must PEP be started? | Within 72 hours of possible exposure to HIV |
Is PEP 100% effective in preventing HIV? | No |
What is defined as viral suppression? | Having less than 200 copies of HIV per mL of blood |
What is lipodystrophy? | Changes in body shape r/t a redistribution of fat in the abdomen, upper back, and breasts along with fat loss in the arms, legs, and face |
What is the target cell for HIV? | CD4+ T cells |
What type of cell is the CD4+ T cell? | Lymphocyte |
What bodily fluids transmit HIV? | Blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and breast milk |
What is the most common mode of HIV transmission? | Unprotected sexual contact with an HIV-infected partner. |