HIV and AIDS

Opportunistic Infection

OIs are caused by a variety of germs (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites). These germs spread in different ways, such as in the air, in body fluids, or in contaminated food or water. People living with HIV are at greatest risk for OIs when their CD4 count falls below 200. However, some OIs can occur when a person’s CD4 count is below 500. Because CD4 plays one of the most important role in fighting infections. And after this gets destroyed by HIV then any small infection could be much more serious.

• Clostridioides difficile
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Pseudogymnoascus destructans