Opportunistic infection
Opportunistic Infection[edit | edit source]
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Opportunistic Infections are infections caused by organisms that are typically harmless in healthy individuals but can cause serious illnesses in people with weakened immune systems. These infections are a major concern in patients with conditions like AIDS or those undergoing treatments like chemotherapy.
Definition and Characteristics[edit | edit source]
Opportunistic infections occur when the body's immune defenses are compromised, allowing otherwise non-pathogenic organisms to cause illness. These infections can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Common Causes[edit | edit source]
Some common opportunistic infections include:
- Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP), often seen in AIDS patients
- Candidiasis, a fungal infection common in immunocompromised individuals
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, particularly in transplant recipients
Risk Factors[edit | edit source]
The primary risk factor for opportunistic infections is a weakened immune system, which can be due to:
- HIV/AIDS
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer
- Immunosuppressive drugs used in organ transplantation
- Chronic diseases or conditions that impair the immune system
Diagnosis and Treatment[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis often involves identifying the causative organism through cultures, blood tests, or imaging studies. Treatment depends on the specific infection and may include antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, or antiparasitics.
Prevention and Management[edit | edit source]
Preventive measures include avoiding exposure to known pathogens, prophylactic medications, and maintaining a healthy immune system through proper treatment of underlying conditions.
Impact on Public Health[edit | edit source]
Opportunistic infections pose significant challenges in public health, especially in populations with high rates of HIV/AIDS or in regions with limited access to healthcare.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
1. [Link to a medical journal article on Opportunistic Infections] 2. [Link to a healthcare website discussing prevention and management]
External Links[edit | edit source]
| Opportunistic infection Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Kondreddy Naveen
