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Opportunistic Infections in HIV

Topic Overview

Opportunistic infections and diseases occur in people whose immune systems have been weakened. They usually do not occur in people who have healthy immune systems. When the immune system is weakened by a disease such as HIV infection, opportunistic diseases may cause serious, even life-threatening, illnesses.

Opportunistic infections that are common in people who have AIDS include:

People who have AIDS are more likely to develop certain cancers, such as:

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
Last Revised January 18, 2011

Last Revised: January 18, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine & Peter Shalit, MD, PhD - Internal Medicine & W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease

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