HIV: acute retroviral syndrome: practice question

A Dermatology 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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Dermatology · HIV: acute retroviral syndrome

Sample item

Three weeks after unprotected sex, a man has fever, sore throat, lymphadenopathy and a maculopapular rash on the trunk. HIV antibody is negative. Which test is most likely to be positive?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. HIV RNA (nucleic acid test) or p24 antigen

In the acute retroviral syndrome, the window period precedes antibody formation, so HIV RNA by NAT and p24 antigen are the earliest markers. Antibodies appear several weeks after infection.

Option by option

  • A. HIV RNA (nucleic acid test) or p24 antigen (correct)

    Correct. Viral RNA and p24 antigen appear before antibodies.

  • B. Western blot

    Western blot detects antibodies and is negative at this stage.

  • C. CD4 count

    CD4 count is not a diagnostic test.

  • D. Repeat antibody test the same day

    Repeating the antibody test that day will not change the result.

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 Dermatology questions

Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is A, HIV RNA (nucleic acid test) or p24 antigen. In the acute retroviral syndrome, the window period precedes antibody formation, so HIV RNA by NAT and p24 antigen are the earliest markers.

Why is "Western blot" not the answer?

Western blot detects antibodies and is negative at this stage.

Why is "CD4 count" not the answer?

CD4 count is not a diagnostic test.

Why is "Repeat antibody test the same day" not the answer?

Repeating the antibody test that day will not change the result.

What concept does this question test?

It tests HIV: acute retroviral syndrome in Dermatology. Antibodies appear several weeks after infection.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 HIV: acute retroviral syndrome?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology 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.