Opportunistic Infections

Abstract This chapter aids the learner in recognizing and managing the most common opportunistic infections associated with people with HIV. The chapter describes the issues concerning starting antiretroviral therapy in the setting of an opportunistic infection. It summarizes the recommendations for starting ART in the setting of an opportunistic infection. Learners will be able to delineate the available test and treatment modalities to manage Mycoacterium tuberculosis, M. avium complex, and M. kansasii, and discuss the established and evolving science regarding diagnosis, treatment, and prophylaxis of opportunistic viral infections associated with HIV, including herpes simplex, Varicella zoster, Cytomeglovirus, human herpesvirus, and John Cunningham (JC) virus.