HIV and AIDS part 6

Complications
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant and get infected with HIV, you need to contact HIC clinic. Two important reasons why this is necessary:
Few anti-HIV medicines can cause harm to babies, hence treatment plan needs to be reworked
Add on medicines will be required to prevent the baby from getting HIV.
Without any treatment, one in every four babies can develop HIV. With treatment, one in hundred babies develops HIV. Previously HIV infected mothers were recommended a caesarean section as it decreases the risk for the baby to get infected by the virus. Because of advantageous in the latest treatments, normal deliveries are recommended. Benefits and risks associated with delivery should be discussed with the HIV clinic staff. The final decision will be taken by you bearing in mind all the possible complications. Breast feeding is not recommended if you have HIV virus as it can pass on to the baby through milk.
Opportunistic infections
The risks of getting infected with various infections are very high in case the CD4 count drops further below 200. Infections that take advantage of weak immune system are called as ‘opportunistic infections’. If HIV therapy is continued without any disturbance, the chances for developing opportunist is infection is very low.
Opportunistic infections come in four type as given below:
Bacterial infections like tuberculosis (TB) or pneumonia.
Viral infections like hepatitis.
Fungal infections like thrush.
Parasitical infections like toxoplasmosis.
People with HIV in advance stage are at higher risk for developing few cancer forms like lymphoma.
Mentioned below are some commonly caused opportunistic infections which affect individuals with HIV virus:
Pneumonia:

Bacterial infection in the lungs is Pneumonia. This mostly develops as complication to any other infections like flu or cold. If left untreated, this can be dangerous as it spreads through the blood. Antibiotics can be used to treat Pneumonia. Vaccinations are also available which protect you from bacteria that cause pneumonia. People infected with HIV are advised to vaccinate themselves annually.
Tuberculosis (TB):

Bacterial infection in the lung causes TB. Around the world it is very common cause, which leads to death in a HIV positive person. Antibiotics can treat TB, but there can bacteria strains that eventually get resistant to medicines causing difficulty.
Hepatitis:
Viral infection which causes damage to the liver is Hepatitis. This subjects you to higher risk to develop liver cancer. Hepatitis A, B & C are mainly three types of hepatitis. Vaccinations are available to all the types. You also need to avoid sharing of needles and usages of condoms are best option in preventing hepatitis.
Candidiasis:

Fungal infection which is very common amongst HIV infected people is Candidiasis. A thick and white coating appears in vagina, throat, tongue and mouth. Seldom candidiasis can get serious but certainly painful and embarrassing. Creams of anti fungal can be used to treat this condition. The HIV Clinic staff should be informed about repeated occurrence of candidiasis as there can be a possibility of decreased CB4 count.