Opportunistic Infections and Prevention - A.J.

Today, I want to talk about opportunistic infections (OI). This topic is very dear to me.

Opportunistic infections are illnesses that occur more frequently and are severe in people with HIV. This is because of the damaged immune system.

Common opportunistic infections are:

1.     Candidiasis is caused by fungus called Candida. It affects the skin, nails and mucus membranes throughout the body. In HIV, it causes severe or persistent infection in the mouth, vagina, esophagus, lower respiratory tract and deeper lung tissues.

2.     Invasive cervical cancer spreads to other parts of the body.

3.     Coccidioidomycosis is caused by fungus Coccidioides. It is also called valley fever or desert fever. It can be transmitted by breathing the fungal spores. Mostly common in dry regions.

4.     Cryptococcosis is caused by infection with fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. The fungus enters the body through the lungs and can cause pneumonia. The fungus usually affects the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord) and can also affect other parts of the body.

5.     Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by a parasite called cryptosporidium. Its symptoms are abdominal cramps and severe chronic watery diarrhea.

6.     Cystoisosporiasis is caused by a parasite that enters the body through contaminated food or water. Symptoms may include diarrhea, fever, headache, abdominal pains, vomiting and weight loss.

7.     Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can infect multiple parts of the body and causes pneumonia, gastroenteritis, infection of the brain and infection of the retina.

8.     Encephalopathy, (HIV related) is a disorder of the brain that can occur in the acute or chronic HIV infection stage.

9.     Herpes simplex virus is acquired sexually or passed from mother to child during birth. In a healthy person, HSV remains inactive. In a person living with HIV, HSV causes painful sores in or around the mouth, painful ulcers on or around the genitals or anus. It can also cause infection of the bronchus and eophagus and pneumonia (infection of the lungs).

10.  Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus Histoplasma, which develops in the lungs and produces symptoms similar to pneumonia or flu.

11.  Kaposi’s sarcoma causes small blood vessels to grow abnormally.

12.  Lymphoma refers to cancer of the lymph nodes.

13.  Tuberculosis (TB) of the lungs have symptoms like cough, tiredness, weight loss, fever, night sweats.

14.  Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Symptoms include cough with mucus, fever, chills and difficulty breathing.

15.  Wasting syndrome due to HIV is defined by involuntary loss of more than 10% of body weight, while experiencing diarrhea or weakness and fever for more than 30 days.

HOW TO PREVENT OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS:

1.     Taking HIV medicine is the best way to prevent OI.

2.     Talking to health care providers about medicines and vaccines that prevent OI.

3.     Prevent exposure to other sexually transmitted diseases.

4.     Limit exposure to germs that can make you sick

5.     Maintain proper hygiene and eat healthy to boost your immunity.

A.J.’s Note: Take your medicines as instructed, eat healthy, be hygienic and reduce chances of getting opportunistic infections.

Source: CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/livingwithhiv/opportunisticinfections.html