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Home » Topics A–Z » Opportunistic infections
Author: Brian Wu PhD. MD Candidate, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA. Chief Editor: Hon A/Prof Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, October 2015.
Opportunistic infections can be viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections (bugs). They occur in patients with a weakened or compromised immune system, occurring secondarily to another condition such as HIV-AIDS.
Common opportunistic infections include (but are not limited to):
Sources of pathogens which cause opportunistic infections vary widely, but can include:
Because of the wide range of opportunistic infections, signs and symptoms vary widely. However, some common symptoms can include:
Risk factors for opportunistic infections include:
The diagnosis of opportunistic infection is based on several factors, including:
Treatment will depend on the type of infection, but can include:
Prevention of opportunistic infections consists largely of healthy lifestyle choices, including:
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