Know the timeline of the identification of AIDS. Be able to identify the two major types and their geographical distribution.
Learn the basic structure of HIV and its classification. Draw this structure out with some notes and stick it up on the wall. Sometimes visuals work better than trying to remember sentences. Know how the virus replicates. Know which cells it infects. Know what methods the virus uses to infect cells. Know the cell-surface proteins it uses to infect cells. Know how the progression of AIDS affects the human body. Know the major complications and unique disease traits of the disease along with common co-infections.
Know the epidemiology of AIDS and the HIV virus, and learn how it is transmitted. List the most common methods of transfer. Be able to identify high-risk groups and place them in the AIDS timeline. Know incubation periods and life expectancies of people who develop the disease.
Learn how AIDS is diagnosed. Be able to list clinical and laboratory markers for AIDS.
Do not confuse AIDS exam questions with HIV exam questions. AIDS is the disease and HIV is the virus. HIV questions should concentrate on the virus, and AIDS questions include HIV data.
Learn the history of AIDS treatment. Know classical drugs, treatment at present and innovations in the pipeline.
Be familiar with AIDS prevention programs. This information ties into spread and control of the disease and allows understanding of changes of high-risk groups over time.
Tie in any immunology education you may have had with studying for exam questions on AIDS. Study them together for a better grasp of the subject. This will allow you to get a clearer picture of the disease and help you to remember infection methods better.
Read any material outside the course you find interesting about AIDS. Personal stories or accounts of AIDS-related events can help you place AIDS details into the correct context and act as an aid to memory. Develop mnemonics that will help you to remember lists of detail, and put them to a tune.