These are considered to be frequent infections that can be severe developing particularly among people with the weakened immune systems such as HIV. The opportunistic infections develop because they take the opportunity of the weakened immune system. Several of these infections normally do not cause harm to the healthy individuals. OIs are less common these days among the HIV and AIDS patients as better treatment options help them keep their immune system stronger. Some of the common forms of opportunistic infections among the HIV patients include cryptococcal meningitis, PCP which is a type of pneumonia, mycobacterium tuberculosis, candidiasis and certain cancers like Kaposi’s carcinoma. As opportunistic infections can potentially cause severe disease, it is important to restore the weakened immune system, to avoid contact with infectious agents and to use antimicrobial medications. If weakened immune system is caused by a cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, then the completion of the treatment and the recovery is important to restore the immune system.
Cryptococcal meningitis
Cryptococcus is a fungus commonly present in the soil that can get into the body by breathing the dust or from bird droppings. Meningitis is the common infection caused by this fungus by affecting the lining of the spinal cord and the brain. It can also infect the lungs, the skin and other parts of the body. This infection is particularly considered to be a major HIV-related OIs. The symptoms of meningitis include fever, a stiff neck, nausea, confusion, vomiting, fatigue, sensitivity to light and blurred vision. To diagnose the condition, a spinal tap may be done which removes a sample of the spinal fluid to be tested for Cryptococcus. Meningitis is usually treated with antifungal medications.
PCP Pneumonia
This is a life-threatening lung infection that develops among people with the weakened immune system and is estimated that around three-quarters of people with HIV will develop it. This is caused by a parasite that can infect the lungs, the eyes, skin, ears and other organs of the body. As the parasite can continue to remain in the body throughout an individual’s life, it can cause infection any time when the individual’s immune system becomes weak. When it affects the lungs, the symptoms can include a dry cough, chest tightness and difficulty with breathing. In addition, it can also cause fever, fatigue and weight loss. If left untreated, it can impair the function of the lungs causing death.
Candidiasis
This is a group of common fungi that is present on the skin and the mouth of people which are controlled by the immune system. Among those with the weakened immune system, it can affect the mucous membranes or other parts of the body causing symptoms known as candidiasis. It can also develop in the vagina among women and under the foreskin or the head of the penis among men causing symptoms such as itching, burning or pain and white curd-like discharge with an unpleasant smell. When it develops on the gums, tongue, or the throat, it appears as white clumps that can be scraped away. This condition is usually treated with the anti-fungal medications.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/livingwithhiv/opportunisticinfections.html
http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/503
https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/news/109/pneumocystis-carinii-pneumonia–pcp-
