How Can You Get Mac

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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

mac

what is mac...

Response from Joseph McGowan, M.D., F.A.C.P.

North Shore University Hospital

Thanks for the question.MAC is a short way of saying Mycobacterium avium complex, aka MAI- mycobacterium avium intracellulare.This is a group of bacteria which can cause widespread infection in people with low CD4 counts. It is in the same family... Read more »

Mac??

Could you tell me what Mac is. And when could a person with hiv get this? and what signs to look for?...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

"MAC" stands for Mycobacterium avium complex, which can spread in your blood and cause a range of symptoms in very advanced HIV disease (AIDS). Usually CD4 cells are less than 25 when this occurs. Symptoms can include fever, weight loss,... Read more »

MAC

I need to know some information about MAC...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

This forum is exclusively for the discussion of the side effects of HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy). I have attached a fact sheet about MAC (for specific questiosn go to opportunistic infections forum on the Body).... Read more »

mac

My mother has Crohn's disease. As a result of long-term use of predinose, she has little immunity. Therefore, she has MAC. It had manifested in her calves causing sores. They cleared and now there's concern that the MAC has traveled...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

MAC infection has been found in the brain but that is an unusual site. When a person's immune system is damaged by infection or medication, then usually the MAC can be controlled but not cured. MAC is typically treated with a combination of 2... Read more »

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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 »

Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC)

Posted by Anonymous

Good day! I just found out that I have some bacteria in my blood. I'm low with t4cell at 1 so my doctor says that I have MAC. I wanted to know if anyone has experience this and has anyone gotten better. This could explain my many symptoms... Read more »

MAC Therapy and Thank you's

Posted by EMDD

Thank you all for your kind words and encouragment....I made the leap and stopped MAC therapy....3 days and counting....I feel so much more like my old self....I was beginning to think I never would again.....life is good....my best advice is to do... Read more »

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