GUM

Question 1

What is AIDS

Answer 1

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the advanced stage of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection

Question 2

what characterises AIDS

Answer 2

characterized by the manifestation of AIDS-defining illnesses and a CD4 count less than 200

Question 3

what causes AIDS?

Answer 3

The causative agent of AIDS is HIV, which is transmitted through unprotected sexual contact, sharing of infected needles, mother-to-child transmission during birth or breastfeeding, and exposure to infected blood products.

Question 4

AIDS clinical presentation.

Answer 4

Signs and symptoms of AIDS are primarily related to the specific AIDS-defining illness present, and can include:
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as dysphagia or odynophagia in oesophageal candidiasis
Respiratory symptoms in cases of Pneumocystis pneumonia or recurrent pneumonia
Neurological symptoms in cases of HIV encephalopathy, toxoplasmosis, or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Skin lesions in cases of Kaposi’s sarcoma or lymphoma
Visual symptoms in cases of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.

Question 5

AIDS investigations…

Answer 5

HIV testing: Primary diagnosis of HIV infection
CD4 cell count: To determine the progression of the disease
Tests specific to AIDS-defining illnesses: For example, bronchoscopy for suspected Pneumocystis pneumonia or biopsy for Kaposi’s sarcoma

Question 6

AIDS management…

Answer 6

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART): To suppress HIV replication and slow disease progression
Prophylaxis against opportunistic infections: Including Pneumocystis pneumonia and toxoplasmosis
Treatment of AIDS-defining illnesses: Specific to the illness, for example, antifungal therapy for candidiasis or chemotherapy for lymphoma