Whats Opportunistic Infections

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Strategies for Managing Opportunistic Infections

Introduction Opportunistic Infections and HIV Disease Preventing Infections in the First Place Treating Infections as They Occur Preventive Treatment for OIs Maintenance Therapy A Final Word on Strategies for Managing Opportunistic Infections List of AIDS-Defining OIs from the Centers for Disease Control Introduction HIV ( human immunodeficiency virus ) infects the cells of your body's immune system. It then impairs how...

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what is an opportunistic infection?

Hello. I have a couple of questions. My first is, What, exactly, is an opportunistic infection? I mean, does the fact that I am HIV+ make any malady I may have (be it the flu or shingles or whatever)an O.I.? Also, as I did recently (several days...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

An OI is one of a group of specific illnesses that occurs in people with damaged immune systems -- essentially, the germ that causes the OI is taking advantage of your weakened immunity, hence the term. Shingles is not an OI per se, since it occurs... 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 »

Is hepC now considered an opportunistic infection in those with HIV?

Hi Dr., I just came across this on the web and wondered if it's true (considered an o.i.) and what do you think of calling it one? "Many HIV positive patients have 'stable' HIV disease due to the widespread use of HAART (highly...

Response from Judith Feinberg, M.D.

University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine

Yes, it is true that we included hep C in the guidelines for treatment and prevention, but technically speaking, the definition of AIDS is set by the CDC and hep C is not included. That may be because the classic definition of an OI is an infection... Read more »

Opportunistic Infection

WHAT IS AN OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTION?...

Response from Judith Currier, M.D.

University of CA, LA School of Medicine

The term opportunistic infection is used to describe infections that occur in people who have deficiencies in their immune system- it is opportunistic because these infections take advantage of the "defect" in the host.-JC... Read more »

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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 »

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 »

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