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Flashcards in Infection: HIV Deck (7)
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1
Q

What is the classification of HIV?

A

It is an encapsulated RNA virus

Its a human retrovirus (uses reverse transcriptase to create DNA from its own RNA)

2
Q

How is HIV treated?

A

Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART therapy) which is 2 nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors + a non nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor or a protease inhibitor.

Use 3 drugs as it is harder to develop resistance

3
Q

Why is there decreasing CD4 T cell count in HIV?

A

The virus replicates inside CD4 T cells which destroys the cells and weakens the immune system

4
Q

What CD4 count is AIDS defining?

A

<200

5
Q

How is HIV transmitted?

A

Vaginal, anal or oral sex
Sharing injecting equipment eg IVDU
Vertical transmission - child birth or breast feeding
Medical procedures eg blood products, skin grafts, organ donation (not in UK)

6
Q

How is HIV diagnosed?

A

Blood tests - look for HIV antigen (made by virus) and HIV antibody (made by immune system)

Can now do rapid tests (less than 1hr). If negative this is very accurate

7
Q

What are the 2 ways to prevent HIV?

A

Use condoms

PEP - post exposure prophylaxis - which is emergency antivirals aiming to prevent HIV infection after exposure

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