Question 1
When was the HI virus first isolated by scientists?
1983
Question 2
Aids is called an ‘acquired’ disease because it is….
Acquired and not genetically inherited, and is caused by an organism that enters the
body from outside
Question 3
The difference between the HIV-1 and HIV-2 virus is…
HIV-1 progresses faster to final stage Aids than HIV -2.
Question 4
Phagocytes as a group have the following general function….
They are the 'lookout guards' of the immune system who first of all need to identify any
pathogen as a potentially damaging agent before they try to kill it.
Question 5
What feature of the HI virus makes it so effective and so difficult for the immune system
to kill?
The important defensive cells of the human immune system (i.e. the CD4+T cells) have
no way of defending themselves against HIV.
Question 6
The immune system recognises a foreign pathogen by its unique proteins, called….
Antigens.
Question 7
What role does antibodies play in the immune response to foreign pathogens?
They attach themselves to the outermost antigens of the pathogens and slow the
pathogens down, which make them easy victims for the phagocytes to ingest.
, Question 8
How did the baby of a HIV+ mother got infected?
It is difficult to say how Rebecca’s baby got infected, because it could have been
during pregnancy, during childbirth or from breastfeeding.
Question 9
What advice would you give Mllungisi who considers going to an initiation school to be
circumcised?
Mlungisi’s wish to be circumcised for cultural reasons should be respected, as long as
he makes sure that it is done by a reputable person who uses sterile blades, or,
alternatively he should take his own sterile blade with him.
Question 10
Why do injecting drug users have a high risk of contracting HIV?
Drug users often share needles which contain minute quantities from the previous user
Question 11
The use of condoms is an example of ________ intervention to prevent HIV infection.
Advice: please ensure that you are familiar with all the types of intervention.
Behavioural
Question 12
Why do many doctors in Africa believe that controlling STIs could play a key role in
combating HIV?
The presence of STIs makes the transmission of HIV easier – so if we control STIs we also
combat HIV.
Question 13
Karel, HIV+ is most infections to his sex partners in the final phase of Aids, as well as in
the….
Stage of primary HIV infection when sero-conversion has taken place.
Question 14
The minor symptomatic stage of HIV disease is…..
Is usually associated with a CD4+T cell count between 350 and 499 cells/mm3.