Cryptococcal Meningitis Prevention

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Cryptococcal Meningitis

The Bottom Line Cryptococcal meningitis occurs most often in people with CD4 cell counts below 50. Although antifungal drugs can prevent cryptococcal meningitis, they are usually not used because of their high cost and the risk of developing drug-resistant yeast infections. If you get meningitis, early diagnosis might allow treatment with less toxic drugs. Contact your health care provider if you have headaches, a stiff neck, vision problems,...

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Recurring cryptococcal meningitis

My brother was diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis and later HIV/AIDS in September last year on admission to hospital on 1st September 1999. He was put on amphotericin drug for two weeks and fluconazole thereafter, he was started on Combivir....

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

I don't think your brother has been optimally treated for either his cryptococcal meningitis or his HIV disease. He may be vomiting because he has increased pressure inside his brain ("intracranial pressure"). The way to treat this... Read more »

cryptococcal Meningitis (HIV Negative)

My husband died 2 weeks ago from cryptococcal Meningitis he was only 41 & he DID NOT have HIV. He worked inside a Brewery. The guys would have to go up and clean the roof and silos because of built up bird droppings. (Do they need to hire...

Response from Andrew T. Pavia, M.D.

University of Utah, School of Medicine

I am very sad to hear of your loss. I don't know if any of the anwers will help heal that pain.Cryptococcal infections can occur in people who are on steroids, have lupus, cancer, leukemia, have organ transplants, or have congenital immune... Read more »

cryptococcal meningitis

I have just found out that I have to go in for treatment of cryptococcus for the forth time in two years. When I was first diagnosed my CD4 count was 30, now it is over 300. My doctors have said that it would not come back now that my count is...

Response from Judith Currier, M.D.

University of CA, LA School of Medicine

I am sorry to hear about the relapses. I agree this is rare when the CD4 count is increased above 100. I believe there is some data to suggest that fluconazole may be more effective than itraconazole for preventing relapses, but there may be a... Read more »

cryptococcal meningitis Resistant to Protease Inhibitors

What would you advise a patient with CD4s of 8, a Viral Load over 100,000, off therapy for six months because of wasting that may have been caused by meds?weight returned from about 129lbs. to 160lb after stopping Crixivan, Kaletra, Combivir,...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Clearly a tough situation. Maximizing nutrition, maintain good body weight (check testosterone levels),prevention of other opportunistic infections, aggressive use of amphotericin--those treatments can often maintain a person's health. There... Read more »

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aseptic meningitis

Posted by uhohblita, 1 Reply

my psyciatrist said that aseptic meningitis gives you a neck so stiff that you cant move. so stiff that the person could lay on one chair and put their head on another separate chair and their body would remain stiffed and propped up on the chairs.... Read more »

My stepdad w/ meningitis

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

I'm really in a sad mood now. About 7 months ago my stepdad was diagnosed with cryptoccocal meningitis. Someone who has always been free-spirited, outgoing and energetic..he's now just in and out of the hospital on so much medication it keeps him... Read more »

aseptic meningitis

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Hello I had sex with a female sex worker 2 weeks ago, it was protected sex but when i pulled out I didn't hold on to the base of the condom and it stayed up in side of her.

I have had bad headaches the last 5 days or so and I am really stressed. ... Read more »

Aseptic Meningitis and ARS

Posted by MikeinAsia, 1 Reply

I need help. I'm freaking going crazy. I had unprotected sex with sex workers while in Manila.
8 days later I woke up with a very stiff neck on both sides. Lymph nodes not swollen, no fever- checked everyday, headaches, but i did keep checking my... Read more »

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