HIV

Question 0

What is the progression of HIV?

Answer 0

At the initial infection there may be a period of being unwell. The virus will remain incubated for 3 months. After that point the blood will test positive for HIV antibody. After a number of years you may become more unwell and progress into AIDS

Question 1

Why do HIV patients have suppressed immunity?

Answer 1

HIV virus infects cells of the immune system, especially CD4 cells. The virus has a higher turnover rate than the healthy CD4 cells so the immune cells can’t keep up to rid the virus. The body becomes immune deficient.

Question 2

What is a normal and a suppressed CD4 count?

Answer 2

Healthy ➡️ >600
Initial immune suppression ➡️ 400 - 600
Severe immune suppression ➡️ <200