Question

1. HIV infects a type of white T-Cell called a CD4. What is the range of a normal count for this blood cell?
2. Classifying HIV into one of 5 stages is part of the case definition. Identify the stages and indicate what the CD4 count is for ages 6 and older in each stage.
3. What does it mean to have a stage that is ‘unknown’?
4. What does a viral load test measure?
5. Define Epidemiology.          
6. List the basic modes of transmission of HIV. Have they changed substantially over the last 20 years? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Human immunodeficiency virus affect the CD4 cells, the normal range of it is 500-1500 cells per cubic milliliter.

Stages of Human Immunodeficiency Virus: They are classified into 4 stages ,

1. Primary / Acute stage:

• In this stage, the virus enter the body ( lymph nodes )
• Where they reproduce and release new virus into the blood stream. ( usually take place within 2-3 months)
• There will not be any drop in CD4 cell count.
• People will also show negative during the lab reports at this time.

2. Asymptomatic / Without symptoms:

• At this stage, patient does not show any signs up to 10 years.
• The count of CD4 cells decrease .

3. Symptomatic Infection:

• Body defenses become weak as the immune system damage increase.
• May lead to symptoms of long term infection, such as : chronic fatigue, weight loss, diarrhoea and skin problem.

4. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome:

• The patient experience vulnerable infection like, bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral.

CD4 count in each stage for age 6 and older :

• Stage 1 : count will be at or above 500 cells per cubic milliliter.
• Stage 2 : the count reduce to 200-400 cells per cubic milliliter.
• Stage 3 : it will be less than 200 cells per cubic milliliter.

Unknown Stage : Is defined as,  all individual for whom there is laboratory confirmation of human immunodeficiency but no there will not be information regarding CD4 cells or CD4 percentage /presence of any acquired immunodeficiency syndrome defining condition.

Viral Load Test : The viral load test measure the amount of human immunodeficiency virus in a sample of blood, usually report as copies/milliliter.

Epidemiology: Is an area of health care that study about how often disease occur in different group of people and why it happen .

Basic Mode Of Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus:

• Blood
• Semen
• Pre-seminal fluid
• Rectal fluid
• Vaginal fluid
• Breast milk

No the mode of transmission does not change over the years, the only thing that happened is that the risk factors and stigma related to human immunodeficiency virus has been erased from the society. Moreover, the rate of transmission has been reduced due to educational programs and promotion of contraceptive barriers.