HIV and AIDS Quiz (BMS Learning Outcomes)

HIV and AIDS: A Comprehensive Overview

• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus): A virus that weakens the immune system.
• AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome): A collection of infections and illnesses that develop when HIV severely damages the immune system.
• Immunodeficiency: A weakened immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections, cancers, and other diseases.

Stages of HIV Infection

• Stage 1: Seroconversion Illness (Primary or Acute): Occurs up to 6 weeks after infection. Characterized by a short illness, often flu-like, and asymptomatic in some cases. This is the most infectious stage.
• Stage 2: Asymptomatic Stage: The virus is active, but there are no symptoms. This stage can last for years.
• Stage 3: Symptomatic Stage: The immune system weakens, manifesting in symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, diarrhea, and cough. This stage persists longer without treatment.
• Stage 4: Late-Stage HIV (Untreated): This stage leads to serious complications, including:
  • Opportunistic Infections: Tuberculosis (lung infection), cancers (e.g., non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cervical cancer), severe bacterial infections, cryptococcal meningitis (brain infection), Kaposi's sarcoma (blood cancer).
  • Wasting Syndrome (Cachexia): Sudden weight loss due to muscle breakdown.

Signs and Symptoms of HIV

• Kaposi's Sarcoma: Raised blue or red lumps on skin and mouth.
• Candidiasis (oral thrush): Fungal infection (yeast), white plaques on the mouth; removable sore mouth, phlegm, chronic cough, dysphagia.
• Hairy Leukoplakia: White patches in the mouth; a sign of a weakened immune system.

Risk Factors & Transmission

• Transmission: HIV spreads through bodily fluids including semen, vaginal and anal fluids, blood, and breast milk. It is not transmitted through saliva, sweat, or urine.
• Risk Factors: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like herpes, syphilis, and bacterial vaginosis increase HIV risk. Sharing needles and syringes (medical, drug-related, or piercing) also pose risks.

Prevention and Treatment

• Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Anti-HIV medication taken within 72 hours after possible exposure.

• Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): HIV preventative medication.

• Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): Medications to stop virus replication. Treatment goals include achieving an undetectable viral load.

• Viral Load: The amount of HIV in the blood. Undetectable viral load (U=U) refers to a level below 200 copies.

• CD4 Count: Healthy CD4 cell count is usually above 500 cells/mm³.

• Testing: Negative HIV tests should be repeated at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after potential exposure.