HIV
- The HIV virus causes AIDS
- HIV invades T-lymphocytes or CD4 cells
- A person can be HIV+ and not have AIDS yet
- Opportunistic infections develop when the CD4 count is < 200. At this point, the client has AIDS.
Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Anorexia
- Diarrhea
- Night Sweats
- Weakness
- Fever
How HIV Spreads
There is a high incidence in homosexuals, bisexuals, IV drug users, hemophiliacs, heterosexual partners of infected people, breastfeeding, transplants, pregnancy, and children of infected women.
Unprotected Sex
Working in Healthcare
Injecting IV Drugs
Blood Transfusions
Pregnancy
How HIV is NOT Spread
HIV is NOT spread through casual contact
Touching
Sharing Eating Utensils
Kissing
Insect Bites
Toilet Seats
Diagnostic test: Elisa first (screening test) then do Western Blot to confirm.
HIV Drugs
- 2 classes of HIV drugs: NRTIs (Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors) and PI (Protease Inhibitors).
- NRTIs block an enzyme that HIV needs to make copies of itself. Common NRTI is Zidovudine or AZT
- Protease Inhibitors (PIs) are potent drugs that inhibit protein synthesis which interferes with viral replication.Â
- HIV drugs do not cure but decrease viral load and decrease opportunistic infections
- Unfortunately, the client must take many pills a day.
Opportunistic Infections/Cancer
Due to immunosuppression, HIV client’s can get infections and cancer.
Oral/Esophageal Candida
Candida infections in the mouth and esophagus. Â
Kaposi's Sarcoma
Cancer of the skin. #1 Cancer in HIV clients. Assess for persistent, nonhealing lesions.
P. Carinii/Jiroveci Pneumonia
Other pulmonary disorder HIV clients are at risk for is Tuberculosis (weight loss, fever, & night sweats.
Lymphoma
Assess for the presence of painless, swollen lymph nodes.
Precautions
Clients with AIDS have ↓ RBCs, ↓ WBCs and ↓ platelets.
Neutropenia
Reverse isolation with private room
Low Platelets
Bleeding precautions. No IM injections, no rectal thermometers.
PPE
Think of exposure. Wear goggles with suctioning and procedures that involve blood exposure. No mask required unless on isolation or splashing. No need to double bag belongings unless contaminated.
Disinfecting
Clean with 1:10 solution of bleach and water if surfaces are contaminated with client’s blood.