HIV

• HIV is the presence of antibodies in the bloodstream indicating exposure/infection of the virus (seroconversion)
• AIDS is the final stage of HIV when the immune system is so compromised that opportunistic infections are present and the CD4 count drops (below 200) as the viral count increases
• testing in the only sure method of determining HIV infection and it can lay latent for 5-15 years
• risks for HIV: unprotected sex (vaginal or rectal), IV drug use (sharing of the needles)
• transmission of HIV: bodily fluids (semen and vaginal secretions), blood needle sharing with IV drug use, needle sticks in healthcare, mother to fetal transmission
• HIV loves CD4 and destroys them and then the immune system doesnt know something is wrong and doesnt react
• timeline for untreated HIV: acute infection (1-3 weeks) -> HIV antibody test becomes positive (3 weeks to 3 months) -> asymptomatic infection -> symptomatic infection -> aids
• initial exposure S&S of HIV: flu like with swollen glands resides in 1-3 weeks
• symptomatic stage (can show up whenever) S&S: fever, cough, weakness, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), forgetfulness, skin lesion (Kaposi sarcoma), SOB, dyspnea on exertion, headache, vision changes, night sweats (something infectious), lymph nodes swelling, oral thrush
• S&S of worsening HIV: new cough, increased fatigue, fever less than 97 or greater than 102 (SIRS criteria), night sweats, new onset of headache, new onset of visual blurring, recent change in mental status, new skin lesion (Kaposi sarcoma), new onset of diarrhea, weight loss greater than 10%
• goal for HIV/AIDS: prevent the spread of the virus, maintain or improve current physical condition and educate patient on prevention of complications
• African american men have the greatest risk of developing HIV
• once a person becomes symptomatic the average time to the development of AIDS is 2 years
• HIV progresses due to the decrease in CD4 count and the lower the CD4 count is the less able the body is to fight off infections
• rapid tests are used for a quick answer for the presence or absence of HIV antibodies
• if the rapid test comes back positive, then the infection is confirmed by the presence of the HIV virus in the blood (viral load)
• at the time of diagnosis the patients viral load and CD4 counts are obtained
• antiretroviral therapy (ART): life long; decreases viral load, maintain or increase CD4 count, prevent HIV related symptoms and opportunistic diseases, delay disease progression
• independent interventions for HIV: temperature, pulse, respirations, oxygen saturation, weight trends (tells if theyre keeping the virus under control), nutrition (high protein, high calorie), emotional support
• bleach kills HIV
• early detection and treatment can prolong lifespan considerably
• PPE is the number 1 defense
• what to do if you get exposure: immediately wash the area of contamination, contact charge nurse, go to ER, get tested, get PEP medications within 72 hours to prevent seroconversion, fill out incident report