How To Treat Cryptococcal Meningitis When You Are Hiv Positive

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Cryptococcal Meningitis

The Bottom Line Cryptococcal meningitis occurs most often in people with CD4 cell counts below 50. Although antifungal drugs can prevent cryptococcal meningitis, they are usually not used because of their high cost and the risk of developing drug-resistant yeast infections. If you get meningitis, early diagnosis might allow treatment with less toxic drugs. Contact your health care provider if you have headaches, a stiff neck, vision problems,...

Ask the Experts

Cryptococcal / Cryptococcal Meningitis

My incarcerated friend has HIV, t-cell ct 348, and no infections to date. Last week he received a positive test for the cyrptococcal microbe, and tho he is the "imate expert" on all sorts of current treatments, he has NO knowledge of this...

Response from Cal Cohen, M.D., M.S.

Harvard Medical School

You are probably referring to Cryptococcus neoformans, the cause of cryptococcal meningitis. Cryptococcus is yeast or fungus which you get breathing it into your lungs. You can't really avoid it-- it's common in the soil and in pigeon... Read more »

Cryptococcal Meningitis and HIV

Hello, doctor: my husband was infected whith Cryptococcal Meningitis and I'm really concerned about his health. He's been under treatment for almost two years now and he refuses to show me his pack of pills. I know hes taking...

Response from Keith Henry, M.D.

University of Minnesota, School of Medicine

Stocrine is efavirenz which is a medicine used exclusively for HIV infection. Cryptococcal meningitis is an AIDS defining condition in someone who is HIV+. I would encourage you to either attend clinic with your husband or talk to a counselor at... Read more »

recurrent cryptococcal meningitis

My husband was diagnosed with AIDS, toxoplasmosis, cryptococcal meningitis, and CMV in 1996. He had been very healthy up until about a year ago. He was taken to the hospital and the first week he was there, he lost his speach, ability to walk,...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

It sounds like your husband's physician is attributing his neurological deterioration to the recurrence of the cryptococcal meningitis. If indeed seizures and his other problems are due to cryptococcal infection, then unfortunately the disease... Read more »

Cryptococcal Meningitis and Herpes Zoster Case

1. My brother was diagnosed with Cryptococcal meningitis on 6 August 2000. He was prescribed 400mg Diflucan 2 times a day for 7 days plus some pain killers (dyoxpol).2. Two or three days later he started to develop some blisters on the back of his...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

These illnesses are certainly compatible with HIV, and especially with low T cell counts meaning his immune system is severely damaged. He should get an HIV test and T cell subsets (a T cell count) as soon as possible. I would not recommend... Read more »

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My stepdad w/ meningitis

Posted by Anonymous, 2 Replies

I'm really in a sad mood now. About 7 months ago my stepdad was diagnosed with cryptoccocal meningitis. Someone who has always been free-spirited, outgoing and energetic..he's now just in and out of the hospital on so much medication it keeps him... Read more »

SEEKING FERTILITY DOCS WHO TREAT POSITIVE COUPLES!

Posted by Anonymous, 3 Replies

Hello Friends,

My husband and I are both positive and have been researching having a baby for 2 years. We are both healthy with undetectable viral loads and high cd4 counts and we are well aware of the risks. I know under the Americans With... Read more »

My doctor is refusing to treat my HIV until I sign

Posted by Garth, 2 Replies

Hello world,
As a newly diagnosed HIV gay man, living in Edmonton Alberta, ( diagnosed 1 year now) I am facing what I beleive to be discrimination and bullying by my doctor. My counts when first diagnosed were CD4 500 and viral load 16,000. Over... Read more »

I met an HIV Positive person for the first time

Posted by Barbdoll, 1 Reply

Hello again,
On Saturday I travelled to meet an HIV Positive friend. It was my first time. At first i was nervous didn't know what to expect. I really didn't want to go there to talk about the fact that we were both Positive. I wanted to meet him,... Read more »

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