QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that attacks T helper cells/ CD4+ cells in the blood. Therefore the number declines in HIV.

This increases the risk for opportunistic infections such as Herpes Simplex Virus.

By increasing the T helper cells, it minimises the risk of infection and complications that can result from these.

This patient is presenting with an acute illness of HIV which usually occurs 1-6 weeks after infection. This is described as flu-like and is a result of seroconversion.
10005761
a
Normal CD4+ count and undetectable viral load
QuestionChoice
Seroconversion is when antibodies are produced in the blood in response to HIV infection. This is usually between 1-6 weeks following exposure.

Once seroconversion has started HIV infection cannot be stopped/ cured. The aim is to then maintain CD4+ count and reduce HIV viral load

However, if ART is used within 72 hours of possible exposure it is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and can prevent seroconversion and HIV infection.

The second part of the answer is correct - viral load should be undetectable so that it is not transmitted to other sexual partners.
10005765
e
Stop seroconversion
QuestionChoice
This is important in anti-retroviral therapy as these are the cells targeted in HIV infection.

However, the aim is to also lower HIV viral load completely so that it is not detected in the blood. This is so that it is not transmitted to other sexual partners.
10005763
c
Normal CD4+ count
QuestionChoice
Aims of the treatment are to increase CD4+ cells to prevent opportunistic infections.

It is important to treat infections that develop and therefore lower CRP in this way. However, anti-retroviral therapy aims to stop the attack of CD4+ cells and therefore increase these numbers.

The second part of the answer is correct - viral load should be undetectable so that it is not transmitted to other sexual partners.
10005762
b
Normal CRP level and undetectable viral load
QuestionChoice
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus that attacks T helper cells/ CD4+ cells in the blood, not T killer cells/ CD8+ cells.

The second part of the answer is correct - viral load should be undetectable so that it is not transmitted to other sexual partners.
10005764
d
Normal CD8+ count and undetectable viral load
Concept
Chapter
2693
4447
Primary HIV infection
Topic
163
Genitourinary medicine
13699
44 year old male attends a sexual health clinic after 30 occasions of unprotected sexual intercourse over 12 months.

He describes feeling 'not quite right' for 1 week with headaches, general body aches and a sore throat.

He undergoes a full sexual health screen and the results are shown below:

>HIV NAAT test for viral load positive
>
>Syphilis antibody negative
>
>Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia urine NAAT negative
>
>Hepatitis B surface antigen negative

He is commenced on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection - what is the aim of this treatment?
a