How Do I Know If I Have 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

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 and cryptosporidosis

Why is there so much focus on Crypto and so little on MAC? What are the infection ratios of these two infections and how are they contracted?...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

I don't know where you got the impression on the relative focus on these OIs. There are no known treatments for cryptosporidiosis, but there are medicines for MAC. Crypto is probably contracted from contact with water contaminated with crypto... Read more »

MAC Mass in Bowel w/severe swelling

I've had MAC now for about 6 years with several hospitalizations (two visits I was told I would not survive). I have severe edema in my stomach, ankles & legs and have been on every treatment known. Now, unfortunately I have a mass larger...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

I don't know of any specific trials for MAC right now, but you could check The Body as well as the ACTIS website (among others) to see if there is anything available. It isn't entirely clear why no one will operate on you -- is it certain... Read more »

MAC and ME, Need Info.

I have been told my husband has MAC. I dont know anything about it. Can you tell me how serious it is, and the survival rate. I need to know exactly what Im dealing with in a realistic manner. Please answer. Im desperate!...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

MAC is a disseminated (goes to many parts of the body) systemic (has generalized, whole-body symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, fever) infection that HIV+ people get when their immune systems have suffered a lot of damage, usuakky with CD4 (T4)... Read more »

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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 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 »

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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