Overview
Opportunistic infections occur in people whose immune systems have been weakened by a disease, such as AIDS. An opportunistic infection may cause serious, even life-threatening, illness.
Opportunistic infections that are common in people who have AIDS include Pneumocystis pneumonia, tuberculosis, and toxoplasmosis. Treatment for opportunistic infections depends on the type of infection and the original disease.
What opportunistic infections can happen when someone has AIDS?
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:
- Pneumocystis pneumonia.
- Tuberculosis.
- Toxoplasmosis.
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
- Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC).
People who have AIDS are more likely to develop certain cancers, such as:
- Kaposi sarcoma.
- Cancer of the lymphatic system (lymphoma).
- Cancer of the cervix.