Human immunodeficiency virus is retrovirus that progressively destroys the immune system, specifically the CD4+ T cell. T lymphocytes are an essential component of cellular immunity, thus their depletion leaves the individual susceptible to numerous forms of cancer and foreign infectious agents. HIV positive people are at a significantly higher risk of developing opportunistic lung diseases such as Bacterial pneumonia, Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia and Tuberculosis. Symptoms of opportunistic lung diseases in AIDS patients include shortness of breath, chest pain as well as the presence of pus or blood in sputum.
Tuberculosis
According to HIV InSite, the World Health Organization estimates that about one-third of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and approximately 10 million HIV positive people are also infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is the most common cause of death among HIV patients worldwide, killing 1 in 3 patients. HIV positive people are at a greater risk of developing tuberculosis because the HIV virus destroys the immune system. Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is normally a latent infection in immunocompetent individuals. Infection with M. tuberculosis occurs when an individual breathes in droplets containing particles of tubercle bacilli. The HIV virus destroys the body's ability to contain the tuberculosis infection, therefore HIV positive people who become infected with the tubercle bacilli develop tuberculosis at a significantly faster rate.
Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia (PCP)
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is the common opportunist lung disease in HIV positive people and it is caused by a fungus known as pneumocystis jiroveci, notes The Body website. Without preventative PCP medications, 85 percent of HIV positive people eventually develop pneumocystis pneumonia. While PCP infections are preventable, 10 percent of patients presented with this lung disease die from it. Antiretroviral drugs are effective preventative medication for the development of PCP in HIV positive individuals with a CD4 cell count under 200.
Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia is common opportunistic lung disease in HIV positive patients. Bacterial pneumonia is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and according to AIDS Meds, HIV positive individuals are about eight times more likely to become infected with bacterial pneumonia than HIV negative individuals. Furthermore, HIV positive people are more likely to have recurrent bacterial pneumonia infections due their weakened immunity. Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia infection include chills, rigours and chest pain. Antiretroviral drugs are effective at preventing bacterial pneumonia.
