U=U

Question 1

What is HIV?

Answer 1

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that weakens a person’s immune system by infecting and destroying their CD4+ T cells (also known as helper T cells).

Question 2

Which bodily fluids is HIV transmitted through?

Answer 2

Blood
Semen (including pre-cum)
Vaginal fluid
Rectal fluid
Human milk

Question 3

HIV stands for

Answer 3

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Question 4

What are the 3 stages of progression of untreated HIV?

Answer 4

1. acute HIV infection
2. clinical latency (chronic HIV)
3. advanced immune suppression (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)

Question 5

How is HIV diagnosed?

Answer 5

Through blood tests that detect HIV antibodies, antigens, and/or RNA

Question 6

What are the two main tests for HIV?

Answer 6

1. 4th generation enzyme-linked immunoassay
2. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test/nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)

Question 7

How does the 4th generation enzyme linked immunoassay detect HIV?

Answer 7

detects IgM and IgG antibodies to HIV as well as the p24 antigen, a protein component of the virus

Question 8

How does the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) detect HIV?

Answer 8

detects HIV RNA using molecular methods

Question 9

What is the window period?

Answer 9

The time between when a person is exposed to HIV and when an HIV test can tell they have HIV

Question 10

How long is the window period?

Answer 10

varies between 2 weeks and three months

Question 11

What is viral load?

Answer 11

amount of HIV RNA circulating in the blood;

Question 12

Define undetectable

Answer 12

viral load <200 copies/mL

Question 13

What is viral load used for?

Answer 13

monitors response to ART

Question 14

Define U=U

Answer 14

when a person has an undetectable viral load and continuously adheres to treatment, there is zero risk of transmitting HIV through sex