As of 2008 there were a little over 33 million people living with advanced human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV/AIDS, according to the World Health Organization. As HIV progresses it can leave the body vulnerable to other forms of infections called opportunistic infections, notes WomensHealth.gov. There are various ways to both prevent and manage opportunistic infections.
Antibiotics
Antibiotic treatment is usually used on opportunistic infections such as bacterial pneumonia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The kind of antibiotics used and the duration of the treatment may vary depending on the type of bacterial infection. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is an example of an antibiotic used to treat the opportunistic protozoan infection isosporiasis, notes Avert.org.
Antifungals
There are various forms of fungi that may infect a body weakened by HIV. Antifungal medication such as amphotericin, fluconazole and voriconazole are commonly used to combat fungal infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Amphotericin and fluconazole are particularly useful against oral candidiasis, notes WomensHealth.gov. Amphotericin is also effective against histoplasmosis, explains Avert.org.
Antimycobacterials
Isoniazid, ethambutol and rifampin are examples of antimycobacterial medications, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These are quite effective treatments for tuberculosis.
Antimycobacterial drugs, such as amikacin, also target the mycobacterium avium complex, or MAC, notes Avert.org. MAC is a bacterium that is closely related to the kind that causes tuberculosis, and often infects the lungs. However, MAC can target other organs of the body.
Antiparasitics
Antiparasitic medications such as benznidazole, fumagillin and pentavalent antimony can be used to combat parasitic infections. Leishmaniasis is typically treated using pentavalent antimony, according to Avert.org.
Antipneumocystics
Atovaquone, pentamidine and trimethoprim-sulfamoxazole are examples of medications used to treat pneumocytis jiroveci pneumonia, or PCP, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Avert.org. The precise kind of antipneumocystics medication used depends on the severity of the infection. Trimethoprim-sulfamoxazole is normally used for more advanced infection, says the CDC.
Antitoxiplasmosis
Prymethamine and sulfadiazine are examples of antitoxiplasmosis medications, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antitoxiplasmosis medications are used to treat toxoplasmosis, protozoa that thrive in fecal matter. Toxoplasmosis infection can result in a comatose condition, notes Avert.org.
Antivirals
Acyclovir, ganciclovir and ribavirin are examples of antiviral medication, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antivirals may be used to treat viral opportunistic infections such as herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus and varicella zoster. However, antiviral medication may also be effective against protozoan infections such as cryptosporidiosis, according to Avert.org.
References
- Avert: HIV Related Opportunistic Infections
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Factsheets HIV/AIDS
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Treating Opportunistic Infections Among HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents
- Womens Health: Opportunistic Infections
- World Health Organization: Global Summary of the HIV/AIDS Epedemic, December 2008
