Infections: HIV prophylaxis: practice question

A Pediatrics 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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Pediatrics · Infections: HIV prophylaxis

Sample item

Which prophylaxis is recommended for an HIV-exposed infant from 6 weeks of age until infection is excluded?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Cotrimoxazole

Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis prevents Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and is started at 4 to 6 weeks in all exposed infants and continued until HIV is excluded. Nevirapine or similar ARV prophylaxis is also given in the neonate. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission reduces risk to less than 2 percent.

Option by option

  • A. Cotrimoxazole (correct)

    Correct. Cotrimoxazole prevents PCP.

  • B. Nothing

    Prophylaxis is needed for exposed infants.

  • C. Fluconazole for life

    Fluconazole is not routine.

  • D. Isoniazid for 12 months

    Isoniazid is only for TB exposure.

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 Pediatrics questions

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is A, Cotrimoxazole. Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis prevents Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and is started at 4 to 6 weeks in all exposed infants and continued until HIV is excluded.

Why is "Nothing" not the answer?

Prophylaxis is needed for exposed infants.

Why is "Fluconazole for life" not the answer?

Fluconazole is not routine.

Why is "Isoniazid for 12 months" not the answer?

Isoniazid is only for TB exposure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Infections: HIV prophylaxis in Pediatrics. Nevirapine or similar ARV prophylaxis is also given in the neonate. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission reduces risk to less than 2 percent.

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 Infections: HIV prophylaxis?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics 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.