What is HIV?
HIV stands for "Human Immunodeficiency Virus".Basically name indicates that it means that this retrovirus has the characteristic of decreasing the immunity of the individual by some means.It does so
How many types of HIV are there?
There are 2 types of HIV:
HIV 1
HIV 2
HIV 1--it a human retrovirus that infects predominantly lymphocytes that bear the CD 4 surface protein,as well as the coreceptors belonging to chemokine receptor family.
HIV 2--it is endemic in West Africa and it takes a longer time to develop AIDS.
How much time does it take to develop AIDS after HIV infection?
It takes almost 10 yrs or so.
What is AIDS?
AIDS is " Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome".
How does it present or what are the common signs and symptoms of AIDS?
AIDS usually presents with viral co infections,previous opportunistic Infections,depression,substance abuse.In assessing individuals with AIDS family and social support assessment must be carried out.
Which persons are high risk for AIDS?
Persons having high risk of getting HIv infection are;
IV drug users,homosexual and bisexual men,sexual partners of these men,people receiving blood from 1977 to 1985,persons involved in sex trading and sexual partners of these persons,persons engaging in unprotected intercourse,pregnant women,patients with active tuberculosis,hospitalized pts between 15 and 45 yrs of age,donors of blood ,semen and organs,health care providers.
How is the screening of AIDS carried out?
Screening of AIDS is carried out with ELISA(enzyme linked immunoassay absorbant).In USA a combined kit for both HIV 1 and HIV 2,enzyme immunoassay.Kit is sensitive to both.
How the positive screening test is confirmed?
A positive screening test is confirmed by a repeat positive ELISA and a positive Western Blot(presence of atleast 2 of the following bands:p24,gp41,gp120/160).An isolated positive ELISA result should not be mentioned to the patient until this result is confirmed by a Western blot.
Is there any rapid test for HIV screening?
Yes ,rapid HIV 1 antibody test is available and i s approved by US Food and Drug administration.
What are the investigations in the laboratory to be carried out in case of AIDS diagnosis and monitoring?
The investigations to be carried out are;
Complete blood count,CD4 cell count and CD4 percentage,Virologic markers,reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay is most widely used these days.
Other investigations to be carried out are;
Tuberculin skin test,Rapid plasma reagin(RPR)test,toxoplasma and cytomegalovirus IgG,HBsAg and AntiHCV,cervical pap smear.
What is the management of HIV infection/AIDS?
The management of HIV / AIDS is carried out as under;
Supportive
Definitive
How the disease is monitored?
Plasma HIV RNA load is used for monitoring of therapy.When the ultrasensitve HIV RNA becomes undetecable and the pt is on stable regimen,then monitoring can be done every three months.
What is HIV resistance testing?
It is done using two different types of assays:
Genotypic
Phenotypic.
Results of resistance testing can be used to guide ART.
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