Apply knowledge of tissue and organ structure and function to physiologic alterations in systems and analyze the cause and effect relationship in response to disease.

Case Study 5

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Patience is 29 years old and has been HIV positive for nine years. She has remained asymptomatic and is not taking antiretroviral medication. Recently she was at the drop-in clinic to talk to a public health nurse about having a baby through artificial insemination. She said she had met a man who wanted to marry her and have children with her, but she was concerned about the baby contracting HIV. Her latest blood tests indicated her CD4+ count was 380/µL. The PCR test indicated her viral load was 850. The nurse referred her to the physician to discuss antiretroviral therapy during her pregnancy.

1. What are the factors that increase the chance of HIV transmission from mother to infant, and how the transmission occurs?
2. Patience was told that after she became pregnant, she would begin HAART therapy. Describe what this therapy is and what particular antiretroviral medication would be particularly useful to her during her pregnancy. What concern is there about administering certain antiretrovirals early in the pregnancy?
3. Individuals with HIV are prone to contracting opportunistic infections. What are opportunistic infections and the risk factors that leave an individual with HIV particularly prone to contracting this type of illness?

Requirements

1. Make sure all of the topics in the case study have been addressed.
2. Cite at least three sources—journal articles, textbooks, or evidenced-based websites—to support the content.
3. All sources must have been written within five years.
4. Do not use .com, Wikipedia, or up-to-date, etc., for your sources
5. Assignment Requirements:Before finalizing your work, you should:
   • Ensure you have written at least four double-spaced pages.
   • be sure to read the Assignment description carefully (as displayed above);
   • consult the Grading Rubric (under the Course Resources) to make sure you have included everything necessary; and
   • utilize spelling and grammar check to minimize errors.
   • follow the conventions of Standard American English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.);
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   • display superior content, organization, style, and mechanics; and
   • use APA 6th Edition format.