The nurse is interviewing a client who is concerned about the possibil

The nurse is interviewing a client who is concerned about the possibility of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from unprotected sex with a known IV drug user. The nurse knows that if the client is infected:

1. The client’s life expectancy is 3 to 5 years
2. There are no effective treatment modalities
3. Symptoms of the disease will be assessable within the first month post exposure
4. Blood work will confirm the diagnosis 6 weeks to 3 months after the initial ex-posure

ANSWER

ANS: 4
The primary infection stage lasts for about a month after contracting the virus. During this time, the person often experiences flu-like symptoms. Then, the person enters the clinical latency phase; at this time, the person has no symptoms of infection. HIV antibodies appear in the blood about 6 weeks to 3 months following infection. If left untreated, people who are infected with HIV will live about 10 years. The last stage, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), occurs when the person begins to show symptoms of the disease. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has greatly increased the survival time of persons who live with HIV/AIDS.