Which is the least likely cause of HIV infection nowadays?
Correct Answer E: When HIV first started appearing in large numbers in North America in the early 1980’s is was called the disease of the 4 H’s (Heroin users, Homosexuals, Hepatitis patients and Haitians). Since then the mode of transmission of the virus has extensively studied and the following are the primary modes of transmission of HIV are:
Since 1985 all blood products all blood products are routinely tested for HIV before being given during transfusions.
Your office nurse reports an accidental needlestick with a used venipuncture needle. She had drawn blood from a 35 year-old white male, who is a new patient undergoing evaluation for hypertension and hyperlipidemia. He has no evidence of other health problems and no risk factors for HIV. Both the nurse and the patient are found to be HIV negative.
Which one of the following would be the most appropriate advice?
Correct Answer A:
If the patient the nurse was exposed to is HIV negative and asymptomatic at the time of exposure, no further HIV testing of the recipient is necessary (choice A), although some prefer additional tests for peace of mind. Prophylactic treatment is unnecessary in this situation, although it might be recommended if the source has an unknown HIV status. As both HIV statuses are negative, the nurse need not follow more stringent guidelines than universal precautions.
All of the following viruses have fecal oral transmission, except:
Correct Answer B: Viruses that are transmitted via fecal oral route include: hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, norwalk, polio, and numerous others. The Ebstein Barr virus (EBV) causes mononucleosis and is spread via person-to-person through the oropharyngeal route via saliva and possibly spread via blood transfusion.
The mode of disease transmission that is most difficult to prevent is:
Correct Answer E: The most difficult mode of transmission to prevent is airborne spread. An organism must be transmitted, either directly or indirectly, from one place to another. Direct transmission included person-to-person spread by skin contact and droplet spread produced by coughing, sneezing, talking or singing within close proximity of a susceptible host.
Indirect transmission occurs when the reservoir and the susceptible host are separated. This type of transmission involves vector spread, vehicle spread and airborne spread.
Disease disseminated by the airborne route are the most difficult to prevent and thus are able to infect large numbers of individuals in a relatively short period of time. For example, a new strain of influenza virus can spread throughout the world in a relatively short period of time.
The various species of Campylobacter can cause diseases ranging from acute enteritis to bacteremia.
Which of the following modes of transmission does not apply to Campylobacter?
Correct Answer D:
Campylobacter species are widely distributed in most warm-blooded animals. They are prevalent in food animals such as poultry, cattle, pigs, sheep, ostriches and shellfish; and in pets, including cats and dogs.
The main route of transmission is generally believed to be foodborne, via undercooked meat and meat products, as well as raw or contaminated milk. Contaminated water or ice is also a source of infection. A proportion of cases occur following contact with contaminated water during recreational activities.
Campylobacteriosis is a zoonosis, a disease transmitted to humans from animals or animal products. Most often, carcasses or meat are contaminated by Campylobacter from faeces during slaughtering. In animals, Campylobacter seldom causes disease.
Although not common, person-to-person transmission can also occur.
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