Is Cryptococcal Meningitis Contagious

Here's a taste of what TheBody.com has to offer on this topic:

Get the Facts

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 »

cryptococcal meningitis

Hi My boyfriend was diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis on the 14/03/2011 and he was on diflucan and flucanazone treatement and he was discharged after a week because he aske the doctor to dischage him, he was readmitted on the 25/03/2011 because...

Response from Mark Holodniy, M.D., F.A.C.P., C.I.C.

Stanford University, School of Medicine

Sorry to hear about your loss. This sounds like a very complicated case and it is very difficult to know the circumstances under which various treatment decisions were made, or what was going on clinically that caused such a rapid decline in his... Read more »

Recurring cryptococcal meningitis

My brother was diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis and later HIV/AIDS in September last year on admission to hospital on 1st September 1999. He was put on amphotericin drug for two weeks and fluconazole thereafter, he was started on Combivir....

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

I don't think your brother has been optimally treated for either his cryptococcal meningitis or his HIV disease. He may be vomiting because he has increased pressure inside his brain ("intracranial pressure"). The way to treat this... Read more »

Go to Ask the Experts »

Connect With Others

HIV Highly Contagious Before Symptoms Show

Posted by Anonymous, 1 Reply

HIV Highly Contagious Before Symptoms Show: Study
Reuters Health
10.18.01

HIV may be highly transmissible before an infected person experiences its first, flu-like symptoms, and before HIV tests can detect the virus, researchers reported last week.... Read more »

ayuda , parece seguro que me contagie

Posted by marche, 5 Replies

no se si alguien me puede ayudar, tuve relaciones con una persona desconocida y tuve el problema de rotura de preservativo porque talvez lo dao la mujer con sus uas al colocarlo, nose , pero , despues de dos semanas se me inflamaron mis parotidas ,... Read more »

aseptic meningitis

Posted by uhohblita, 1 Reply

my psyciatrist said that aseptic meningitis gives you a neck so stiff that you cant move. so stiff that the person could lay on one chair and put their head on another separate chair and their body would remain stiffed and propped up on the chairs.... Read more »

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 »

Connect on Our Bulletin Boards »

Tools

My Health Tracker

Assess Your Risk for HIV

Find Local HIV/AIDS Services

Resource Centers

Guides for People With HIV

View All of Our Guides >>