Week 15 - Infectious Diseases Flashcards
(189 cards)
What type of virus is HIV?
RNA Retrovirus
What is the primary route of HIV transmission?
Genitourinary, rectal and oral mucosa
Which T cells are targeted by HIV?
CD4 T cells that express the receptor CCR5
What are the stages of HIV infection?
Acute - appears as clinically mild systemic viral infection. Can be flu-like.
Asymptomatic - CD8 cells rise in numbers to help combat the reduction of CD4 cells.
Late Stage (AIDS)
What are the main strains of HIV?
HIV1 - most common
HIV2 - less common and lower rate of transmissibility.
Where are high levels of CD4 T cells found in the body?
In the lamina propria of the gut - large numbers needed to keep bacteria at bay.
What are the two measures of how far a HIV infection has progressed?
Viral load
CD4 count
What is the latent reservoir in HIV infection?
The CD4 cells infected with HIV that are in a quiescent stage (G0).
Is problematic as you can treat active cells with a HIV infection but is very difficult to treat quiescent infection.
What types of HIV tests are available?
Nucleic acid test (NAT) - looks for HIV RNA
Antibody test - looks for HIV ABs
Combined antigen antibody test (most common) - ELISA test (Assay) - looks for IgM and IgG ABs for HIV but also looks for HIV protein (HIV p24)
What is the eclipse period of an HIV infection?
The time between the P being infected and the time when the RNA is at detectable levels
What is HAART?
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy - combination antiretroviral therapy - 3 more drugs that attacks the virus life cycle in different places - avoids the virus being put under selective pressure.
When do you need to start medication for a HIV infection?
As soon as possible
What are
- PrEP
- TasP?
PrEP = Pre-exposure Prophylaxis - given to Ps at very high risk of HIV
TasP = Treatment as Prevention - provided to Ps with HIV+ to reduce the viral load to undetectable levels - where they cannot transmit the virus
What is pyrexia of an unknown origin defined as?
Fever >38.3 lasting >3w with no clear diagnosis despite investigations.
What are the top 3 causes of pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO)?
1 = Infective cause
2 = Inflammatory cause - vasculitis or AI
3 = Neoplastic cause
Which systemic illnesses can cause a PUO?
Toxoplasmosis
EBV
Cytomegalovirus
HIV primary
Burcellosis
Lyme disease
What are the B symptoms of malignancy?
Fever, drenching night sweats and loss of more than 10 percent of body weight over six months
What inflammatory or AI conditions can cause PUO?
SLE
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Giant cell arteritis
Polymyalgia
Still’s disease
Periodic Fever Syndromes
Which drugs can cause PUO?
Penicillins
Cephalosporins
Anti-TB meds
Phenytoin
What Qs do you need to ask a P with PUO?
What clinical signs should you look for with a P with PUO?
Start with A-E assessment
What do you not want to do when managing PUO?
Give blind ABx or steroid therapy - can mask the underlying cause of infection
What are the S&S of cellulitis?
Redness
swelling
Pain
Tenderness
Fever
Malaise
What are the differentials of cellulitis?