Podcast
Questions and Answers
What type of virus is HIV?
What type of virus is HIV?
- Retrovirus (correct)
- Poxvirus
- Adenovirus
- Herpesvirus
Which process does HIV use to replicate its RNA into DNA?
Which process does HIV use to replicate its RNA into DNA?
- Replication
- Transcription
- Translation
- Reverse transcriptase (correct)
Which immune cells are primarily targeted by HIV?
Which immune cells are primarily targeted by HIV?
- B cells
- CD4+ T cells (correct)
- Macrophages
- CD8+ T cells
What is the normal range of CD4+ T cell count in a healthy individual (cells/µL)?
What is the normal range of CD4+ T cell count in a healthy individual (cells/µL)?
At what CD4+ T cell count (cells/µL) do severe immune problems typically begin?
At what CD4+ T cell count (cells/µL) do severe immune problems typically begin?
What is the significance of opportunistic diseases in HIV infection?
What is the significance of opportunistic diseases in HIV infection?
Which of the following is NOT a common route of HIV transmission?
Which of the following is NOT a common route of HIV transmission?
What is the end-stage of HIV infection called?
What is the end-stage of HIV infection called?
In 2020, approximately how many people were estimated to be living with HIV worldwide?
In 2020, approximately how many people were estimated to be living with HIV worldwide?
In 2020, approximately how many people died from AIDS-related illnesses?
In 2020, approximately how many people died from AIDS-related illnesses?
Which of the following statements is correct regarding HIV transmission?
Which of the following statements is correct regarding HIV transmission?
What cellular process is directly affected when HIV integrates its DNA into the host cell's genome?
What cellular process is directly affected when HIV integrates its DNA into the host cell's genome?
Which of the following is the MOST accurate about HIV and AIDS?
Which of the following is the MOST accurate about HIV and AIDS?
How does HIV cause immune deficiency?
How does HIV cause immune deficiency?
Which opportunistic infection is most commonly associated with AIDS?
Which opportunistic infection is most commonly associated with AIDS?
What is the primary enzyme responsible for HIV's ability to integrate its genetic material into the host cell's DNA?
What is the primary enzyme responsible for HIV's ability to integrate its genetic material into the host cell's DNA?
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between HIV viral load and CD4+ T cell count?
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between HIV viral load and CD4+ T cell count?
Which factor most significantly contributes to the ability of HIV to establish chronic infection?
Which factor most significantly contributes to the ability of HIV to establish chronic infection?
What is the primary reason why a needlestick injury doesn't always result in HIV transmission?
What is the primary reason why a needlestick injury doesn't always result in HIV transmission?
What is the MOST important risk reduction strategy to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child?
What is the MOST important risk reduction strategy to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child?
Which type of genetic material does HIV use to carry its information?
Which type of genetic material does HIV use to carry its information?
How does HIV establish a latent reservoir in the body, making it difficult to cure?
How does HIV establish a latent reservoir in the body, making it difficult to cure?
What distinguishes HIV-2 from HIV-1?
What distinguishes HIV-2 from HIV-1?
If a person's CD4+ T cell count is 600 cells/µL, how would they be classified in terms of HIV disease progression?
If a person's CD4+ T cell count is 600 cells/µL, how would they be classified in terms of HIV disease progression?
Why is it difficult to develop a vaccine against HIV?
Why is it difficult to develop a vaccine against HIV?
Which of the following is NOT a body fluid known to transmit HIV?
Which of the following is NOT a body fluid known to transmit HIV?
What is the role of HIV protease in the viral life cycle?
What is the role of HIV protease in the viral life cycle?
A researcher is studying a new strain of HIV that seems to replicate much faster than typical HIV strains. What enzyme is most likely exhibiting increased efficiency in this new strain?
A researcher is studying a new strain of HIV that seems to replicate much faster than typical HIV strains. What enzyme is most likely exhibiting increased efficiency in this new strain?
Why are opportunistic infections like Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) so dangerous to individuals with AIDS?
Why are opportunistic infections like Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) so dangerous to individuals with AIDS?
Which of the following is the most accurate description of how HIV leads to immunosuppression?
Which of the following is the most accurate description of how HIV leads to immunosuppression?
What distinguishes the mechanism of action of a reverse transcriptase inhibitor from that of a protease inhibitor in treating HIV?
What distinguishes the mechanism of action of a reverse transcriptase inhibitor from that of a protease inhibitor in treating HIV?
If a new strain of HIV were discovered that had a significantly altered tropism, such that it now primarily infected neuronal cells instead of CD4+ T cells, what would be the most likely consequence?
If a new strain of HIV were discovered that had a significantly altered tropism, such that it now primarily infected neuronal cells instead of CD4+ T cells, what would be the most likely consequence?
Following the discovery of a novel mutation in HIV that renders the virus undetectable by standard viral load tests (but still infectious), what immediate change in public health strategies would be most crucial?
Following the discovery of a novel mutation in HIV that renders the virus undetectable by standard viral load tests (but still infectious), what immediate change in public health strategies would be most crucial?
In a hypothetical scenario where a drug is developed that completely prevents HIV from integrating its DNA into human cells, but does not prevent the virus from entering the cell, what long-term effects might still be observed in patients treated with this drug?
In a hypothetical scenario where a drug is developed that completely prevents HIV from integrating its DNA into human cells, but does not prevent the virus from entering the cell, what long-term effects might still be observed in patients treated with this drug?
What is the most likely outcome if an individual with HIV stops taking their antiretroviral medications?
What is the most likely outcome if an individual with HIV stops taking their antiretroviral medications?
Why does HIV have such a high mutation rate compared to other viruses?
Why does HIV have such a high mutation rate compared to other viruses?
How does the presence of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) affect the risk of HIV transmission?
How does the presence of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) affect the risk of HIV transmission?
How does the CCR5 receptor relate to HIV infection?
How does the CCR5 receptor relate to HIV infection?
An individual tests positive for HIV antibodies but has a very low viral load and a normal CD4+ T cell count. What does this suggest?
An individual tests positive for HIV antibodies but has a very low viral load and a normal CD4+ T cell count. What does this suggest?
Flashcards
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
A retrovirus causing immunosuppression, making individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections.
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
The end stage of HIV infection, characterized by severe immune deficiency.
Retrovirus
Retrovirus
A virus with RNA as its genetic material that replicates by converting RNA to DNA.
Reverse Transcriptase
Reverse Transcriptase
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CD4+ T cells (T helper cells)
CD4+ T cells (T helper cells)
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Opportunistic Diseases
Opportunistic Diseases
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HIV Transmission
HIV Transmission
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Study Notes
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a retrovirus that causes immunosuppression
- People with HIV are susceptible to opportunistic infections
- AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is the end stage of HIV infection
- In 2020, 37.7 million people were living with HIV worldwide
- In 2020, 1.5 million people acquired HIV
- In 2020, 680,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- HIV is a ribonucleic acid virus
- HIV replicates backwards (RNA to DNA) using reverse transcriptase
- The created DNA integrates into the host's genetic structure
- HIV attacks CD4+ T cells (T helper cells)
- Normal range of CD4+ T cells is 800 to 1200 cells/µL
- Immune problems start when CD4+ T cell counts drop below 500 cells/µL
- Severe problems occur when CD4+ T cell counts drop below 200 cells/µL
- Insufficient immune response allows for opportunistic diseases
- Opportunistic diseases are infections and cancers that occur in immunosuppressed patients
Transmission
- HIV is transmitted through contact with infected body fluids
- Common routes of transmission include:
- Sexual contact
- Sharing infected needles
- Mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding
- HIV is not spread through casual contact
- Risk of infection after a needlestick exposure is <1%
Clinical Manifestations and Complications
- Acute HIV infection occurs 2 to 4 weeks after initial infection
- Acute HIV infection is often mistaken for the flu or mononucleosis
- Symptoms of acute HIV infection include:
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Malaise
- Nausea
- Muscle and joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Diffuse rash
- High viral load during acute HIV infection makes the person more infectious
- Chronic HIV infection can be asymptomatic
- Symptomatic infection can include:
- Persistent fever
- Night sweats
- Chronic diarrhea
- Recurrent headaches
- Severe fatigue
- Other problems that can develop:
- Oral hairy leukoplakia
- Shingles
- Persistent vaginal candidal infections
- Herpes
- Bacterial infections
- Kaposi sarcoma
- AIDS is diagnosed when:
- CD4+ T cell count drops below 200 cells/µL
- Development of opportunistic infection
- Development of opportunistic cancer
- Wasting syndrome
- AIDS dementia complex
- Common opportunistic diseases include:
- Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP)
- Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC)
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Kaposi sarcoma
- Invasive cervical cancer
Diagnostic Studies
- HIV infection is diagnosed by testing for HIV antibodies and/or antigens
- Testing should be repeated to confirm the diagnosis
- HIV antibody tests include:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
- Western blot
- Immunofluorescence assay (IFA)
- HIV antigen tests detect the virus directly
- Rapid HIV antibody tests can provide results in 20 minutes
- These tests are useful in settings where immediate results are needed
- HIV viral load testing quantifies the amount of HIV RNA in the plasma
- CD4+ T cell count provides a measure of immune function
Interprofessional Care
- Monitor disease progression and immune function
- Manage symptoms
- Prevent opportunistic diseases
- Prevent or decrease complications of treatment
- Prevent further transmission of HIV
- Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is used to decrease viral load and increase CD4+ T cell counts
- ART can significantly slow HIV disease progression
- Adherence to ART is essential for effectiveness
- ART can have significant side effects
Drug Therapy
- Main goals of ART are to:
- Decrease the viral load
- Increase CD4+ T cell counts
- Prevent HIV-related symptoms and opportunistic diseases
- ART drugs include:
- Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)
- Protease inhibitors (PIs)
- Fusion inhibitors
- CCR5 antagonists
- Integrase inhibitors
- Drug resistance is a major concern in HIV treatment
- Combination ART is used to reduce the risk of drug resistance
- Patients on ART may experience various side effects
- Side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Rash
- Lipodystrophy
- Hyperlipidemia
- Insulin resistance
- Bone disease
- Cardiovascular disease
Nursing Management
- Assessment includes identifying risk behaviors
- Assess for signs and symptoms of HIV infection
- Monitor CD4+ T cell counts and viral load
- Provide education about HIV transmission and prevention
- Promote adherence to ART
- Provide emotional support
- Teach patients how to prevent opportunistic infections
- Encourage healthy lifestyle choices
- Assess patient's knowledge and readiness to learn
- Provide information in a clear and understandable manner
- Emphasize the importance of adherence to ART
- Discuss strategies for managing side effects of ART
- Provide referrals to support groups and other resources
- Teach patients about safe sex practices
- Encourage patients to inform their partners of their HIV status
- Advocate for patients' rights and reduce stigma associated with HIV
- Help patients to maintain dignity and quality of life
Prevention
- Primary prevention is aimed at reducing the risk of HIV transmission
- Prevention strategies include:
- Avoiding risky behaviors
- Using condoms consistently and correctly
- Getting tested for HIV
- Taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
- Avoiding sharing needles
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) involves taking ART medications daily to reduce the risk of HIV infection
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) involves taking ART medications after a potential exposure to HIV
- PEP should be started within 72 hours of exposure
- Educate people about HIV transmission and prevention
- Promote safer sex practices
- Provide access to HIV testing and counseling
- Reduce stigma associated with HIV
- Support research efforts to find a cure for HIV
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Description
HIV is a retrovirus that causes immunosuppression, leading to opportunistic infections and AIDS. In 2020, 37.7 million people were living with HIV worldwide. HIV attacks CD4+ T cells, causing immune problems when counts drop. Opportunistic diseases occur due to insufficient immune response.
