HIV-Related Opportunistic Diseases - UNAIDS Technical Update

Opportunistic diseases in a person with HIV are the products of two things: the person's lack of immune defenses caused by the virus, and the presence of microbes and other pathogens in our everyday environment.

Effective intervention against opportunistic diseases requires not only the appropriate drug or other medications for a given medical condition, but also the infrastructure necessary to diagnose the condition, monitor the intervention, and counsel patients. As well, use of drugs and tests must be supported by proper storage, handling and administrative procedures.