HIV/AIDS and Infections

Also called: AIDS-related opportunistic infections, OIs

Having HIV/AIDS weakens your body's immune system. Your immune system normally fights germs that enter your body. When HIV/AIDS makes it weak, it can't fight germs well. This can lead to serious infections that don't often affect healthy people. These are called opportunistic infections (OIs).

There are many types of OIs. Tuberculosis and a serious related disease, Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) are bacterial infections. Viral infections include cytomegalovirus (CMV) and hepatitis C. Fungi cause thrush (candidiasis), cryptococcal meningitis, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and histoplasmosis, and parasites cause crypto (cryptosporidiosis) and toxo (toxoplasmosis).

Having HIV/AIDS can make any infection harder to treat. People with AIDS are also more likely to suffer complications of common illnesses such as the flu.

The good news is that you can help prevent infections by taking your HIV/AIDS medicines. Other things that can help include practicing safe sex, washing your hands well and often and cooking your food well.

Symptoms of HIV/AIDS and Infections

The following features are indicative of HIV/AIDS and Infections:

white patches on gums and tongue
pain in the mouth
difficulty in swallowing
loss of appetite
fever
abdominal pain
diarrhea
blurred vision
nausea
sore throat
vomiting
headache
weight loss
vaginal irritation

It is possible that HIV/AIDS and Infections shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of HIV/AIDS and Infections

The following are the most common causes of HIV/AIDS and Infections:

human immunodeficiency virus
weak immune system
pregnancy
breast feeding

Risk Factors for HIV/AIDS and Infections

The following factors may increase the likelihood of HIV/AIDS and Infections:

immunocompromised persons
elder people
patients with impaired host defenses
HIV-infected persons
transplant recipients

Prevention of HIV/AIDS and Infections

Yes, it may be possible to prevent HIV/AIDS and Infections. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:

avoid contact with infectious agents
avoid sharing drug injection equipment
use condoms during sex

Occurrence of HIV/AIDS and Infections

Number of Cases

The following are the number of HIV/AIDS and Infections cases seen each year worldwide:

Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

HIV/AIDS and Infections can occur at any age.

Common Gender

HIV/AIDS and Infections can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and Infections

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect HIV/AIDS and Infections:

Imaging study of the brain: To detect the opportunistic infections
Blood test: To diagnose the opportunistic infections
Biopsy: To evaluate the lesion

Doctor for Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and Infections

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of HIV/AIDS and Infections:

HIV specialist

Complications of HIV/AIDS and Infections if untreated

Yes, HIV/AIDS and Infections causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if HIV/AIDS and Infections is left untreated:

HIV-related illness

Procedures for Treatment of HIV/AIDS and Infections

The following procedures are used to treat HIV/AIDS and Infections:

Antiretroviral therapy: Raises the CD4 cell count
Chemotherapy: To reduce the lesions

Self-care for HIV/AIDS and Infections

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of HIV/AIDS and Infections:

use condom
intake good nutrition

Patient Support for Treatment of HIV/AIDS and Infections

The following actions may help HIV/AIDS and Infections patients:

Communicate with your partner: Keeps you healthy
Join support group: Helps in managing HIV

Time for Treatment of HIV/AIDS and Infections

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for HIV/AIDS and Infections to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: