Infectious diseases: acute HIV infection: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Infectious diseases: acute HIV infection

Sample item

A man has fever, sore throat, maculopapular rash and cervical lymphadenopathy 3 weeks after unprotected sex. A rapid HIV antibody test is negative. Which test should be done next?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. HIV-1 RNA PCR or fourth-generation antigen-antibody assay

In the acute retroviral syndrome the antibody test may still be negative, but viral RNA and p24 antigen are detectable. A viral load or fourth-generation combination assay closes the window period.

Option by option

  • A. HIV-1 RNA PCR or fourth-generation antigen-antibody assay (correct)

    Correct. Viral RNA or p24 antigen appears before antibodies.

  • B. Repeat the antibody test only after 12 months

    Waiting a year delays diagnosis and treatment and allows spread.

  • C. Western blot

    Western blot detects antibodies and is also negative in the window period.

  • D. CD4 count alone

    CD4 count is not diagnostic and may be normal early.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is A, HIV-1 RNA PCR or fourth-generation antigen-antibody assay. In the acute retroviral syndrome the antibody test may still be negative, but viral RNA and p24 antigen are detectable.

Why is "Repeat the antibody test only after 12 months" not the answer?

Waiting a year delays diagnosis and treatment and allows spread.

Why is "Western blot" not the answer?

Western blot detects antibodies and is also negative in the window period.

Why is "CD4 count alone" not the answer?

CD4 count is not diagnostic and may be normal early.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infectious diseases: acute HIV infection in General Medicine. A viral load or fourth-generation combination assay closes the window period.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Infectious diseases: acute HIV infection?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.