H I V / A I D S
Pathophysiology: HIV (Human immunodeficiency Virus) is a retrovirus that attacks CD4 T
helper cells “T helper cells”. T helper cells are responsible for helping B cells activate
, macrophages to kill pathogens. They also activate cytotoxic T cells to kill infected target
cells. HIV is determined by number of CD4 T cells and presence of opportunistic infection.
Must enter bloodstream. Once in the blood stream, the virus causes the patient to
experience flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, rash, night sweats, chills, headache, muscle
aches. However, that subsides because the body is becoming overwhelmed and can no
longer keep up with killing the virus.
Etiology:
Sexual
o Semen, vaginal secretions, genital, anal, or oral contact
Parenteral
o Sharing of needles or equipment contaminated w/ infected blood
Perinatal
o Placenta, contact w/ maternal blood and bodily fluids during birth, breast milk
Distinction between HIV & AIDS
# of CD4 helper cells (normal 800-1000mm3)
o Less than 200 mm3 get DX of AIDS
o Less than 200, they aren’t able to fight anything off; very high risk for
opportunistic infections
Whether someone has opportunistic infection
Stages of HIV
I. Symptoms can begin within 4 weeks (CD4 > 500)
a. Fever, Sore throat, rash, night sweats, chills, headache, muscle aches, thrush,
weight loss – like any virus, not just HIV
b. Numbers are high, transmission is likely, especially sexually
II. HIV II (CD4 200-499) – occurs when infected adults are most often diagnosed w/ HIV
disease and management w/ drug therapy is started. The drug therapy suppresses
Pathophysiology: HIV (Human immunodeficiency Virus) is a retrovirus that attacks CD4 T
helper cells “T helper cells”. T helper cells are responsible for helping B cells activate
, macrophages to kill pathogens. They also activate cytotoxic T cells to kill infected target
cells. HIV is determined by number of CD4 T cells and presence of opportunistic infection.
Must enter bloodstream. Once in the blood stream, the virus causes the patient to
experience flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, rash, night sweats, chills, headache, muscle
aches. However, that subsides because the body is becoming overwhelmed and can no
longer keep up with killing the virus.
Etiology:
Sexual
o Semen, vaginal secretions, genital, anal, or oral contact
Parenteral
o Sharing of needles or equipment contaminated w/ infected blood
Perinatal
o Placenta, contact w/ maternal blood and bodily fluids during birth, breast milk
Distinction between HIV & AIDS
# of CD4 helper cells (normal 800-1000mm3)
o Less than 200 mm3 get DX of AIDS
o Less than 200, they aren’t able to fight anything off; very high risk for
opportunistic infections
Whether someone has opportunistic infection
Stages of HIV
I. Symptoms can begin within 4 weeks (CD4 > 500)
a. Fever, Sore throat, rash, night sweats, chills, headache, muscle aches, thrush,
weight loss – like any virus, not just HIV
b. Numbers are high, transmission is likely, especially sexually
II. HIV II (CD4 200-499) – occurs when infected adults are most often diagnosed w/ HIV
disease and management w/ drug therapy is started. The drug therapy suppresses
