Parasitic Infections
Common to HIV Patients

HIV patients are more at risk for getting fungal infections that can severely damage their health.  Infections that would be treatable in a healthy person can cause untold damage to a person infected with HIV.  Because the body’s immune system cannot fight off even small infections with HIV or AIDS, a common fungus infection can be dangerous and life threatening.

One common HIV-related fungal infection is candidiasis.  This common fungus infection causes inflammation and a heavy white coating on the mouth, tongue, and throat.  It also affects the vagina with the same white coating as well as itching, painful urination, and irritation during intercourse.  Children who have this fungal infection can have severe symptoms in the mouth that makes eating painful and causes difficulty in swallowing.

Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common form of a central nervous system infection that is associated with HIV.  It is an inflammation of the membranes and fluid around the spinal cord.  This fungus is found in the soil and symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light.  It will also be accompanied by a severe headache.  Generally it is treatable with antifungal medications but early treatment is a necessity.  Any form of meningitis is serious and can cause life-threatening complications.  Once a person has had Cryptococcal meningitis they have to be on medication for the rest of their life. 

Parasitic infections are common in normal people but can be deadly for people with AIDS.  A common infection is cryptosporidiosis, which is an intestinal parasite you can get by eating or drinking contaminated food or water.  This parasite grows in your intestines and bile duct.  For patients with AIDS it causes severe and chronic diarrhea.

Did You Know? 

Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that is spread mainly by cats.  The cats pass the parasites in their stools.  Humans can pick up the virus by changing the cat litter and touching their mouth with their hands.  The parasite can also be found in raw or uncooked meats.  Venison, pork, and lamb are especially vulnerable to carrying this parasite.  A pregnant woman can pass the parasite on to her unborn child.  After being infected, these tiny parasites can spread to the rest of the body including heart, lungs, and eyes.  AIDS patients can be in extreme danger of encephalitis if they get this parasite.  Encephalitis is an infection in the brain that causes seizures, disorientation, and problems with walking and talking.

Symptoms that include a cough that doesn’t go away, trouble breathing and a fever may signal the patient has pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.  The parasitic infection is one of the most common infections that strike patients with AIDS.  PCP makes it difficult for the patient to breathe because it attacks the lungs.  Other signs of this infection are a cough that will not go away, trouble breathing, and a high fever.  A healthy person easily fights many of these parasitic infections, but could be potentially life threatening to an AIDS patient.  

Education is the key to choosing the treatment best for you.  Read all the research and information you can find on the Internet.  Keep abreast of any new research and developments.  Stay healthy and when treatment is necessary, don’t be afraid to explore all of your options.