Question

how do patients in pregnacy present with HIV?

Answer 1

HIV is the causative agent of AIDS. Women infected with HIV may first show symptoms at the time of pregnancy or possibly develop life-threatening infections because normal pregnancy involves some suppression of the maternal immune system. Zidovudine is recommended for the prevention of maternal-to-fetal HIV transmission and is administered orally beginning after 14weeks gestation, intravenously during labour, and in the form of syrup to the newborn for 6weeks after birth. Sexual exposure to genital secretions of an infected person, parenteral exposure to infected blood and tissue and perinatal exposure of an infant to infected maternal secretions through birth or breastfeeding. The stages of AIDS in pregnancy are

Stage 1-Fever, headache, lymphadenopathy, myalgia.

Stage 2-Infection is active but asymptomatic and msy remain so for years. Client may experience outbreak of herpes zoster. Client nay experience transient thrombocytopenia.

Stage 3-Client is symptomatic, immune dysfunction is evident, All body systems can show signs of immune dysfunction. Integumentary and gynaecological problems are common.

Stage 4-Advanced infection, client vulnerable young common bacterial infections, development of opportunistic infections and serious immune compromise.