Prophylaxis and treatment of opportunistic infections
Opportunistic infections are caused by organisms that generally don’t infect humans with a competent immune system. They are the most common cause of death in AIDS patients.
Prophylaxis is mainly targeted towards infection with Pneumocystis jiroveci, an organism that causes severe pneumonia. It is initiated when the body’s CD4 count drops below 200 per microliter and is discontinued when it exceeds the number. Trimethoprim-Sulphamoxazole usually serves for prophylaxis.
Prophylaxis against toxoplasmosis is also done if the CD4+ count falls below 100 per microliter. Otherwise, prophylaxis against other infections is not needed.
Treatment of opportunistic infections is essential. They are the leading cause of death in HIV, and therefore their treatment significantly decreased the mortality of AIDS patients. AIDS patients are susceptible to opportunistic infections and aggressive forms of common diseases that affect the average population with milder symptoms.
The most common opportunistic infections associated with HIV include:
–Cryptococcal meningitis
–Toxoplasmosis
-Candidiasis
–PCP
–CMV or Cytomegalovirus
–Herpes Simplex virus
Some of the above conditions may be fatal. Still, most of them are easily preventable through simple protective measures during sexual intercourse and vaccines and prophylactic medications, while others need specific treatment.
