HIV and Rubella Overview

HIV Stages

• Acute HIV Infection: Occurs shortly after transmission, with flu-like symptoms, highly contagious.
• Chronic HIV Infection: Virus remains active, gradually weakening the immune system, often without symptoms for years.
• Symptomatic: Immune system weakens further, leading to frequent infections and illnesses.
• AIDS: Final and most severe stage, resulting in life-threatening infections and cancers.

HIV Prevention

• Rapid diagnostic tests and self-testing are available.
• Prevention methods include condoms, regular testing, and antiretroviral drugs (PrEP, ART).

Rubella

• Transmission: Spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Symptoms: Fever, mild conjunctivitis, rash, swollen lymph glands, and occasionally joint pain in adults.
• Risk: Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) can lead to severe birth defects, including heart problems, deafness, and developmental delays.

Rubella Prevention

• Immunization with the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine has significantly reduced rubella cases.

Herpes

• Has three stages:
  • Primary infection: HSV infects nearby nerve cells and replicates.
  • Latency: Virus remains dormant in nerve cells.
  • Reactivation: Infected cells wake up and trigger an immune response.

Herpes Prevention

• Patients should refrain from oral contact or sexual activity with others to stop the spread.

Herpes Treatment

• Medications for pain management include benzocaine, lidocaine, ibuprofen, naproxen, and paracetamol.
• The frequency of breakouts can be decreased by taking medications at a lower daily dose.

Dengue

• Caused by the Dengue virus (DENV).
• Primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

Dengue Symptoms

• High fever, nausea, body aches, joint pain.

Dengue Treatment

• Hydration, rest, paracetamol (for fever and pain relief).

Dengue Prevention

• Vector control: making the public aware, fogging, encouraging the use of mosquito repellents.
• Vaccination: Dengvaxia is the first dengue vaccine developed, but only recommended for ages 9-24 with a prior dengue infection.

Meningitis

• Inflammation of the leptomeninges (arachnoid and pia mater).

Meningitis Transmission

• Viral meningitis: Spread through direct contact with respiratory secretions.

Hepatitis

• Hepatitis A and E: Transmitted through the fecal-oral route (infected food or drink).
• Hepatitis B, C, and D: Spread via blood transfusions, sex interactions, and perinatal transmission (mother to child).

Arthropod-Borne Viral Disease

• Infections transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes.
• Frequently encountered in Jamaica/Caribbean: dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus.

Dengue (Arthropod-Borne Viral Disease)

• Carried by Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes.
• Symptoms: High temperature, excruciating headache, aches in the joints and muscles, and in extreme situations, shock or bleeding.

Chikungunya (Arthropod-Borne Viral Disease)

• Spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.
• Symptoms: Rash, fever, and discomfort in the muscles and joints.
• Belongs to the family Togaviridae.

Zika (Arthropod-Borne Viral Disease)

• Transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
• Can cause fever, rash, joint discomfort, and conjunctivitis.
• Belongs to the family Flaviviridae.

Zika Diagnosis and Treatment

• Suspected based on symptoms, confirmation through blood or urine laboratory tests.
• Currently, no targeted treatment for Zika virus infection. Individuals should seek medical attention.

Zika Prevention

• Control mosquito populations by eliminating breeding sites, applying insect repellent, and wearing protective clothing (light colors).
• No vaccine available for Zika virus infection.

Encephalitis

• Inflammatory disorder of the brain, usually resulting from an infection or autoimmune reaction.

Encephalitis Transmission

• Airborne viruses released by coughing or sneezing infected individuals.
• Bites from infected insects (mosquitoes or ticks) and animals.
• Contact with an infected individual.

Encephalitis Symptoms

• Headache, fever, seizure, stiffness in the neck, loss of consciousness.

Encephalitis Treatment

• Antiviral medications to address viral infections affecting the brain.
• Breathing tube, urinary catheter, or feeding tube if the patient has lost consciousness due to encephalitis.

Encephalitis Diagnosis

• Diagnosis established by exhibiting a combination of symptoms, including fever, seizures, or changes in behaviour and movement.
• Confirmation through tests such as a brain MRI or CT scan, medical examination, and assessing the patient's medical history.
• Blood, urine test, and stool test to detect antibodies associated with the infection.

Encephalitis Complications

• Low blood pressure.
• Decreased oxygen levels in the blood.
• Bleeding within the brain.
• Permanent brain damage.
• Mortality.

Encephalitis Prevention

• Maintain good hygiene and wash hands regularly.
• Take precautions to avoid exposure to mosquitoes and ticks.