HIV/AIDS Lecture Notes - Nursing 102 (Miss Buchanan)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the HIV/AIDS lecture notes.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus; a retrovirus that targets CD4+ immune cells, causing immune deficiency and increasing susceptibility to infections; transmitted via certain body fluids.

AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; advanced HIV infection with severely weakened immune system and susceptibility to opportunistic infections and cancers.

HIV-1

The most common and globally widespread type of HIV.

HIV-2

A distinct type of HIV, more prevalent in West and Southeast Africa, typically with slower progression.

Modes of Transmission

Primary routes: sexual contact, parenteral exposure (needles/equipment), and perinatal (mother-to-child); not transmitted by casual contact.

Sexual transmission

HIV spread through genital, anal, or oral sex involving mucous membranes with an infected partner.

Parenteral transmission

HIV spread via shared needles/equipment contaminated with infected blood; includes occupational exposures.

Perinatal (vertical) transmission

HIV transmission from mother to child during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding; risk can be reduced with planning and treatment.

Not transmitted by casual contact

HIV is not spread by casual touch, hugs, mosquitoes, or shared environments.

Risk factors

Factors that increase HIV exposure: unprotected sex, multiple partners, IV drug use with needle sharing, occupational exposure, perinatal exposure, certain transfusion risks.

Acute HIV (Stage 1)

Initial infection period (~2–4 weeks) with high viral load and flu-like symptoms; highly infectious.

Chronic HIV (Stage 2)

Asymptomatic phase with low-level virus; can last years; may progress to AIDS without treatment.

AIDS (Stage 3)

Immune system severely damaged; opportunistic infections and cancers occur; high viral loads.

CD4 thresholds

Stage 1: CD4 ≥ 500; Stage 2: CD4 200–499; Stage 3 (AIDS): CD4 < 200.

Monitoring markers

CD4 count, white blood cell count, and HIV viral load used to gauge immune status and treatment response.

ELISA / Western blot

HIV testing sequence: ELISA screens for antibodies; Western blot confirms infection.

HIV RNA (viral load)

Measurement of HIV RNA in blood to assess replication and treatment effectiveness.

HAART

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy; combining 3–4 antiretroviral drugs to suppress replication and prevent resistance.

Antiretroviral drug classes

Drug categories (e.g., reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, fusion/entry inhibitors) that interrupt HIV replication.

PrEP

Pre-exposure prophylaxis; antiretroviral meds taken by HIV-uninfected individuals at high risk to prevent infection.

PEP

Post-exposure prophylaxis; short-term antiretroviral treatment after potential exposure to reduce infection risk.

Opportunistic infections

Infections that occur when the immune system is weakened (e.g., TB, CMV, Pneumocystis jirovecii).

Kaposi sarcoma

An AIDS-defining malignancy presenting as violaceous skin lesions; associated with HHV-8 infection.

Wasting syndrome

Significant involuntary weight loss and muscle wasting in HIV/AIDS; managed with nutrition, small high-protein meals, and hydration.

ABC prevention (ABCs)

Abstinence, Be faithful (monogamy), Condom use; strategy to prevent sexual transmission.