AIDS: Introduction and MCQs

Ans. (a) Human immunodeficiency virus

Explanation: HIV is short form of Human immunodeficiency virus. It is a type of virus that attacks the body’s immune system. HIV can cause several life-threatening diseases. It can spread through sexual contact or blood, or from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. There is no cure for this virus but if treated, it can prevent the individual from catching the disease. 

Ans. (c) AIDS

Explanation: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If HIV remains untreated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV/AIDS affects the immune system which increases the risk of developing a common infection such as tuberculosis or tumour. Without treatment, the average survival time after infection is 11 years.

Ans. (a) Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Explanation: AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome which is an infection caused by HIV. In the initial stage, an infected person sees no symptoms but as it gets severe, it affects the immune system to such a level it increases the risk of getting life-threatening diseases. Mostly it spreads from unprotected sex with HIV infected.

Ans. (c) T-helper cells

Explanation: Our human body contains many types of white blood cells to protect itself from infection. HIV destroys a specific cell called the CD4 cell. It enters the cell and makes a copy of itself. This way it kills the CD4 cell by making more and more copies of itself. Hence, this completely destroys the power of the immune system.

Ans. (b) Sharing needles

Explanation: The second most common way of spreading HIV is through sharing needles. It is primarily spread by sexual intercourse with the HIV-infected and thirdly from the infected mother to child during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. Moreover, sharing food or interacting with the infected does not transmit the virus.

Ans. (b) False

Explanation: HIV does not spread through mosquitoes. It is a virus which travels through fluids like semen, vaginal fluid, anal fluids, breast milk or blood. Some bodily fluids such as tears, sweat and saliva do not transmit the virus. There are many such misconceptions in society which make the barrier between people.

Ans. (c) Three

Explanation: There are three main stages of HIV Infection i.e., acute infection, clinical latency and AIDS. The initial period after the contraction of HIV is an acute infection which is also known as primary HIV or acute retroviral syndrome. An infected person is affected and progresses through these stages at different rates.

Ans. (d)

Explanation: The red ribbon making a cross represents awareness and support to the HIV- positive people. This symbol gives the sense of closeness as the infected were treated differently. So, to show equality and support the people living with AIDS, this symbol was introduced. Moreover, 1^st December is celebrated as World AIDS Day.

Symbol denoting AIDS

Ans. (b) Two

Explanation: There are two main clinical staging systems which are used to classify HIV and HIV-related diseases for surveillance purposes. These are:

• WHO disease staging system for HIV infection and disease
• CDC classification system for HIV infection

The CDC classification system is more frequently adopted by developed nations as compared with the WHO disease staging system.

Ans. (d) 1986

Explanation: In 1986, the WHO (World Health Organization) first proposed a definition for AIDS which is updated from time to time on the basis of facts and new findings. The definition which is currently in use was published in 2007. It says AIDS is a term that applies to the most advanced stages of HIV infection. 

Ans. (c) Third

Explanation: India ranked third in HIV infected in the world with around 2.1 million people living with HIV. Compared to neighbouring countries, India has made good progress in reducing new HIV infections by half since 2001. HIV prevalence among adults (aged 15-49) was an estimated 0.2%. This figure is small compared to most other middle-income countries but because of India's huge population (1.3 billion people), this equates to 2.1 million people living with HIV.

Ans. (d) NACO

Explanation: NACO (National AIDS Control Organization) is the body responsible for formulating policies and implementing programs for the prevention and control of HIV in India. It was established in 1992 and its headquarters are in New Delhi. It is a division of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that provides leadership to the AIDS control programme. 

Ans. (b) The United States

Explanation:  The first news story on the disease appeared on May 18, 1981, in the gay newspaper New York Native. AIDS was first clinically reported on June 5, 1981, with five cases in the United States in drug users and gay men. In the early days, the disease did not have any name. So, the name AIDS was introduced in 1982 at a meeting by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Ans. (b) False

Explanation:  While there is not yet a broadly available cure or vaccine or treatment for HIV but treatment can slow the course of the disease and may lead to a near-normal life expectancy. Treatment is recommended as soon as the diagnosis is made. Without treatment, the average survival time after infection is 11 years. 

Ans. (d) All of the above

Explanation: Within a few weeks of HIV infection, flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat and fatigue can occur. Then the disease is usually asymptomatic until it progresses to AIDS. The symptoms of AIDS include fever. Swollen lymph nodes, tiredness, rapid weight loss, night sweats and sores of mouth, anus and genitals.

Ans. (c) Chimpanzees

Explanation: The origin of HIV / AIDS and the circumstances that led to its emergence remain unsolved. The HIV is believed to have originated in non-humans in West-central Africa and were transferred to humans in the early 20th century. It appears to have originated in southern Cameroon through the evolution of SIV, a Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) that infects wild Chimpanzees. 

Ans. (a) More frequent

Explanation: An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available. HIV weakens the immune system of the infection. So, a condition in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancer to thrive. Hence, in individuals with HIV, opportunistic infections are more frequent.

Ans. (a) Lentivirus

Explanation: Lentivirus is a subgroup of retroviruses that cause chronic and deadly diseases characterized by long incubation periods, in humans and other mammalian species. The genus includes the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS.  Lentiviruses are distributed worldwide and are known to be hosted in apes, cows, goats, horses, cats, and sheep as well as several other mammals.

Ans. (c) undergoes mutation at a rapid rate

Explanation: There is no vaccine available to cure AIDS because of the behaviour of HIV itself. In particular, this includes the remarkable HIV strain diversity and the immune evasion strategies of the virus. It undergoes mutation at a rapid rate which is a hindrance to getting an effective vaccine for the disease.

Ans. (a) Identification of antibodies

Explanation: The antibody screening test is normally done on individuals for AIDS testing. These tests check for a protein that your body makes within 2 to 8 weeks of an HIV infection. They're also called immunoassay or ELISA tests. They're generally very accurate. Rapid versions of these blood and oral fluid tests can give results in 30 minutes or less, but they may give negative results even when you’re infected. This is called a false negative.

Ans. (a)

Explanation: HIV virus has a protein coat and a genetic material which is Single-Stranded RNA as HIV is a type of retrovirus. But the structure of HIV is different from other retroviruses. HIV consists of a viral envelope and in the viral envelope, two identical copies of single-stranded RNA are present and reverse transcriptase enzyme.