TB AND HIV COINFECTION

Overview and Facts

TB and HIV coinfection is having TB and HIV at the same time and is considered a medical emergency. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) may weaken your immunity and kill immune cells within your body, leading to immunological suppression and making you prone to illnesses like tuberculosis (TB). Meanwhile, TB is a bacterial infection that affects the spine, lungs, and other organs. HIV makes it significantly more difficult for your immunity to react to illnesses like tuberculosis than it would for people without HIV.

Furthermore, tuberculosis is among the major causes of mortality among HIV-positive persons globally. TB and HIV coinfection lessens people’s lives if they are not treated. Physicians may also find it harder to diagnose TB if you are HIV-positive.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

People with TB and HIV coinfection may experience the following symptoms.

  • Diarrhea
  • Painful mouth sores and sore throat
  • Joint pain and muscle aches
  • Appetite loss
  • Chest pain
  • Weakness
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Night sweats
  • Fever
  • Cough that may have mucus or blood

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

If you are HIV-positive, your physician should test you for tuberculosis, although you do not have symptoms. With a weakened immune system, a tuberculosis infection may spread swiftly. There are two ways to screen for TB and HIV coinfection:

  • Skin Test. A small quantity of tuberculin PPD (purified protein derivative) is given under the skin to examine how the body responds. A TB infection is detected if your skin at the injection site has edema or lots of lumps.
  • Blood test.  doctor will collect blood from a vein on your arm using a tiny needle. This examination searches for an immune system response to microorganisms.

TREATMENT

There are several alternative treatments for persons who have TB and HIV coinfection. The precise therapy will be determined by whether your infection is active or latent, as well as other considerations.

Latent tuberculosis may be treated with:

  • Isoniazid at a daily dosage for nine months
  • Rifapentine once a week for 12 weeks
  • For four months, a daily dosage of rifampin was administered.

Active tuberculosis infections may be managed with the following medications:

  • People with drug-resistant tuberculosis may get therapy for up to two years.
  • For 6 to 9 months, use modest dosages of PZA, INH, MOX, and rifampin.
  • For four months, a high dosage of rifapentine was taken daily, coupled with pyrazinamide (PZA), isoniazid (INH), and moxifloxacin (MOX).

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