HIV and TB
An immunocompromised host is a very good candidate for TB infection and development of the active disease. HIV weakens the immune system and thus allows for the development of TB.
Someone who is HIV-positive and infected with TB bacilli is many times more likely to become sick with TB than someone infected with TB bacilli who is HIV-negative.
HIV and TB form a lethal combination, each speeding the other’s progress. Tuberculosisis a leading cause of death among people who are HIV-positive. In Africa, HIV is the single most important factor contributing to the increase in incidence of TB since 1990.1,2
WHO and its international partners have formed the TB/HIV Working Group,3 which develops global policy on the control of HIV-related TB and advises on how those fighting against TB and HIV can work together to tackle this lethal combination.
The interim policy on collaborative TB/HIV activities describes steps to create mechanisms of collaboration between TB and HIV/AIDS programs, to reduce the burden of TB among people and reducing the burden of HIV among TB patients.
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Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: July 12, 2011