How Do I Avoid 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

Doubting Thomas?? (MAC)

Hey there Dr. Bob!!Ciao bello, Tom here. I just wanted to say hello and see if you had time to respond to me. I have recently been dealing with fears of HIV. I tested via Home Access, and the result was negative. Woo-hoo-able, right? Not so fast. My...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello Doubting Thomas,Your negative Home Access test, assuming it was done after the window period, is definitive and conclusive. HIV is not your problem. No way. No how.Have you skipped over the HIV diagnosis and progressed to AIDS with MAC?... Read more »

Risk of tuberculosis/MAC infection to HIV negative caregivers.

Our brother recently disclosed that he has Aids and is being treated for PCP, MAC/tuberculosis. During the treatment process we provided comfort and company. He began his hospitalization in a regular room, but was subiquently moved to ICU with...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Thank you for your post.I'm not sure if you are stating that your brother has both MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex) and tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, MTB) or just MAC. In the later case, there's no risk to exposed family... Read more »

MAC MAI prognosis

Let me start by saying, I know I am asking a question that may not be good for others to see an answer to and if you want please respond to my email if you don't want to respond in the public forum.My daughter has been HIV positive for 12 years...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello,I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's situation. The likely outcome if she is not willing to take medicines is that she will succumb to AIDS-related opportunistic infections. MAC (mycobacterium avian complex) is a very serious... Read more »

short travel to us: should i avoid to take my meds to avoid detention?

Hi,i've read and heard horrible stories of detention and deportation if a HIV pos. person takes hiv meds into US. Because of work, i have to attend for 10 days to USA, but i dont want to (and dont need to in my country) disclose my status. Im...

Response from Christa Douaihy, Esq.

Member, City of NY Bar Association Committee on AIDS

Dear Writer,Thank you for the question. You correctly state that in 2010 the US government lifted the "ban" on HIV positive persons visiting the United States. Effective January 2010, The Department of Homeland Security ruled that a... 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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