Virtual Patient Reference Library
Opportunistic Infections
page 1
Introduction
Pneumocystis Pneumonia
Toxoplasmosis
Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection
Cytomegalovirus Infection
Fungal Infections
Tuberculosis
Bacterial Infections

   last update October 2002

 Introduction
Patients with HIV disease are at risk for a variety of infections, most of which occur at low CD4 cell counts. Once clinical infection develops, relapse is common in the absence of preventative (prophylactic) antimicrobial therapy. The term "primary prophylaxis" refers to prevention of the initial episode of infection, whereas "secondary prophylaxis" refers to prevention of a recurrent episode.

This tutorial reviews the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prophylaxis of common HIV-related opportunistic infections.