Opportunistic infections occur in people whose immune systems have been weakened by a disease, such as AIDS. An opportunistic infection may cause serious, even life-threatening, illness.
Opportunistic infections that are common in people who have AIDS include Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, tuberculosis, and toxoplasmosis. Treatment for opportunistic infections depends on the type of infection and the original disease.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise