How Is The Body Affected By Opportunistic Infections

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What Are Opportunistic Infections?

Table of Contents Basic Facts Preventing and Treating OIs OIs and Women Most Common Opportunistic Infections (OIs) in HIV+ People Basic Facts While many viruses can be controlled by the immune system, HIV targets andinfects the same immune system cells that are supposed to protect us fromillnesses. These are a type of white blood cell called CD4 cells. HIV takes over CD4 cells and turns them into virusfactories that produce...

Ask the Experts

Opportunistic Infection Change

Hello, Body positive experts! A powerpoint slide presentation on the Internet, from the NIH, mentioned that the OI "PCP" was changed to "pneumocystis jiroveci", after a Czech pathologist. Yet, as an educator for the Philadelphia...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

The official name as changed as you highlight but the abbreviation for now (PCP) is staying the same. In the future you will be seeing the new name more and more. KH... Read more »

Help! I am having opportunistic infections

Dr. Conway:Are ARS symptoms lasting for more than 5 weeks and can they come gradually? I have started having a sore throat and white tongue 3 weeks after unprotected vaginal contacts with a HIV+ male, after that I had muscle and joint pains for the...

Response from Brian Conway, M.D.

University of British Columbia

Dear Anna:The symptoms you describe can be seen with acute HIV infection but are certainly not specific for it. Your doctor is right that the negative HIV antibody test at this stage is a good sign. You might consider having a test for HIV itself... Read more »

Explain opportunistic infection

Is it true that if you are experiencing an opportunistic infection at the time you are tested, ex) thrush and your results are negative, that the reason of the infection is not HIV. Thanks!!!...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

Some people may have very low T cells soon after they are infected and may get an OI because of the low T cells but may not yet developed a positive HIV test. The HIV test depends on your body making proteins (antibodies) that recognize HIV, and it... Read more »

Opportunistic infections

Dear Doctor,I am getting crazy, please help. My last CD4 count is 1029 and CD4/CD8 ratio is 1.81. But, I am getting opportunistic infections such as athlete's foot and leukoplakia on tongue.What is wrong with me?thanks....

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

North Shore University Hospital

The issue here is terminology. For example, fungal infections between your toes ("athlete's foot") is not an opportunistic infection and is seen at any CD4 count (with or without HIV infection). Whereas other types of fungal... Read more »

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Could i be having an opportunistic infection

Posted by bmkm, 3 Replies

Hi. I had protected vaginal sex with a stranger in Sep 2011. At that time i had my finger in her vagina. 6-7 weeks after that i was in Hospital for muscle breakdown which was caused due to untreated undiagnosed HypoThyroid. When at Hospital they... Read more »

Opportunistic Infections??

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I had a risky situation approx 2 years ago. I have been relatively healthy since then but have become overcome with thoughts of hiv. Is it possible to have an opportunistic infection without having other symptoms. I have never had a fever, night... Read more »

Esophagitis as opportunistic infection

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

I am wonering if anyone can tell me if Esophagitis can occur within 1st year of acquiring HIV infection. Please, I am extremely scared and I would appericiate an answer.

Thanks,
Nate Read more »

Opportunistic Infections

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

Would you say that a reoccuring itchy rash on the lower back/base of spine (large(ish), flat, red and very itchy) 5-6 months after possible exposure (protected vaginal sex with a sex worker) was anything to worry about? I have shown my Doctor and... Read more »

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