Opportunistic infections (OIs) are infections that are more common or severe in individuals who have a compromised immune system than in those with a healthy immune system. Such weakened immune systems are commonly seen in people who are living with HIV. Today OIs are less common in those with HIV due to advances in HIV treatment.
Taking HIV medications is usually the best way to prevent OIs, however there are also other medications specific to each OI.
Treatment
Treatment of OIs will depend on each OI. It is best to speak with your doctor if you believe you have contracted an OI. Some common OIs include:
| Common Opportunistic Infections | |
|---|---|
| OI | Details |
| Candidiasis | Candidiasis is caused by a fungus called Candida, and can affect the skin, nails, and mucous membranes thoughout the body. It is common in people with HIV. It is also only considered an OI when it causes severe or persistant infections in the mouth, or if it develops in some parts of the body, such as the esophagus. |
| Invasive cervical cancer | Cervical cancer starts within the cervix and becomes invasive to other parts of the body. Cervical Cancer can be prevented by preforming regular examinations. |
| Coccidioidomycosis | this is an illness caused by the fungus Coccidioides, and is sometimes called valley fever, desert fever, or San Joaquin Valley fever. It is common in hot dry regions of the southwest US, Central America, and South America, And people can get it from breathing in fungal spores from the fungus Coccidioides. |
| Cystoisosporiasis | This infections used to be called isosporiasis, and is caused by the parasite Cystoisospora belli. Cystoisosporiasis can enter the body through contaminated food or water, and its symptoms include diarrhea, fever, headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and weight loss. |
| Cytomegalovirus | Cytomegalovirus can infect several parts of the body and can cause pneumonia, gastroenteritis, encephalitis infection of the brain, and retinitis. Cytomegalovirus retinitis is considered a medical emergency because it can cause blindness. |
| Encephalopathy | Encephalopathy is a brain disorder that can occour as part of an HIV infection. The exact cause is unknown, however it is thought to be caused by the infection of the brain with HIV and the resulting inflammation. |
| Histoplasmosis | Histoplasmosis is caused by the fungus Histoplasma, and usually develops in the lungs. People with damaged immune systems can get a more severe form of the disease which can last significantly longer and can spread to other parts of the body. |
| Cryptococcosis | This is an illness caued by infection with the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, and typically enters the body through the lungs and can cause pneumonia. It typically affects the lungs or central nervous system, but can spread to other parts of the body. |
| Cryptosporidiosis | Cryptosporidiosis is a diarrheal disease caused by a tiny parasite called Cryptosporidium. It usually causes abdominal cramps and severe chronic diarrhea. |
| Tuberculosis | Tuberculosis is caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and can spread through the air when someone infected with tuberculosis coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Tuberculosis usually infects the lungs, and can result in weight loss, fever, cough, tiredness, and night sweats |
This is not a complete list of all OIs, but it includes some common ones and some information about them.