Nutrition and HIV/AIDS: A Training Manual - Linkages Project

Factors in Transmissionand VulnerabilityViral•HIV strain•Viral loadHost• Presence of sexually transmitted infections• Circumcision• Use of vaginal productsSexual behavior• Number and rate of exchange of partners• Sexual mixing patterns• Type of intercourse• Condom useFactors in Transmissionand Vulnerability, Cont.Demographic• Percentage of sexually active groups• Male-to-female ratio• Urban-to-rural ratio• Migration patternsEconomic and political• Level of poverty• War and social conflicts• Coverage and quality of health care systemStages of HIV DiseaseInfection in Average Patient withoutARVs from Transmission to Death• Acute infection (2-8 weeks)• Asymptomatic ( 2-10 years)•Symptomatic•LateSource: Bartlett 2000)Disease Recognitionthrough HIV Testing• Negative during first 3 months afterinfection (window period)• Two tests required plus a third toconfirm if results conflict• Repeated test recommended 3months after initial test• False positives very possible inchildren under 18 months oldTypes of HIV TestBlood tests for antibodies against HIV• Enzyme immune assay/enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay (ELISA) is most common• Western blot is more specific than ELISA and used asa confirmatory test• Radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) is expensiveand used as a confirmatory test when antibodies low• Dot-blot immunobinding assay is a rapid screeningblood test that is cost effective• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)looks for HIV geneticinformation