Diagnosed With Mac

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Get the Facts

Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC)

Can MAC Be Prevented? The bacteria that cause MAC are very common. It is not possible to avoid being exposed. The best way to prevent MAC is to take strong antiretroviral medications (ARVs). Even if your CD4 cell count drops very low, there are drugs that can stop MAC disease from developing in up to 50% of people. The antibiotic drugs azithromycin, rifabutin and clarithromycin have been used to prevent MAC. These drugs are usually prescribed...

Ask the Experts

Clofazimine ? Still used for treatmentof MAC ?

Dear Dr. Gallant: My boyfriend was diagnosed with MAC about 6 months ago, when his firstdrug combo failed, and the infection returned, his Doctor added Clofazimine (along with someother...

Response from Joel Gallant, M.D.

Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine

Clofazamine (Lamprene) was shown to add no additional benefit in treating MAC compared to a two drug regimen of clarithromycin (Biaxin) plus ethambutol (Myambutol). In fact, the use of clofazamine was associated with increased toxicity and even... Read more »

Help Me! Was I infected with MAC?

I just found out that my mother-in-law was diagnosed with Mac a form of tb. I am trying to find out as much info as possible. Can you tell me in english, what this disease is and if I may...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

MAC is a germ commonly found in the environment (soil, water) that can cause infection in damaged tissue, such as the lungs of people who are smokers, or in people with damaged immune systems, such as those with AIDS. This time your sister-in-law... Read more »

MAC survival rates

the PCP and switched to Nelfinavir (the side effects from the Sustiva were too much). Since being discharged he has also been diagnosed with MAC. His drug regiment since January 2001 has included: Nelfinavir, Combivir, Bactrim (every other day),...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

I can't give you a precise figure for survival with MAC in the current era of potent combination therapy, but if your partner's viral load and T cells respond to treatment the way his PCP and weight have, then his immune system will be... Read more »

MAC treatment

I began HAART in Jan'06 with a cd4 of 10 and VL of +500k. After a year of symptoms I was diagnosed with MAC in Feb'06. I began treatment with Clarithromycin 500mg twice a day, Ethambutol 1300mg/day and Rifabutin 150mg 3 times/week....

Response from Eric Daar, M.D.

UCLA School of Medicine

Thank you for your posting.In general, experience has taught us that people who have increases in the CD4 cells can eventually go off treatment for a variety of opportunistic infections. The data is imperfect but in general, guidelines have... Read more »

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Husband just diagnosed with AIDS

Posted by jillymae06, 9 Replies

My husband of 13 years has just been diagnosed with AIDS... we skipped the HIV+ part and went right to full-blown AIDS. I am scared and angry at the same time. He has battled oral thrush for over a year now and his first doctor never suggested an... Read more »

My experience being diagnosed

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

I haven't been able to talk to anyone about this experience or what I have been feeling inside about learning I am HIV positive. Reading peoples' experiences on this website have benn a big comfort to me.

I was diagnosed with HIV on July 14, 2006. I... Read more »

MAC IV Therapy

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I'm thinking of stopping IV therapy for MAC....can anyone tell me if they've done that...and if so.....did you feel better or worse without the meds? My CD4+ cell count is still below 50.....the meds make me feel so awful I have to wonder if the MAC... Read more »

MAC. & low cd-4

Posted by danni, 3 Replies

i am terrified, i just learned that i have mac. my viral load is 87,000, my cd-4; only 14. my doc. did start meds for me, but i can't get past the fear that it's too late. with my blood counts, is mac, a sure death sentence? i appreciate any... Read more »

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