Reduction of CD4 count induces opportunistic infections in people living with HIV (PLHIV)

Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a lentivirus (member of the retrovirus family) causing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), weakens the immune system of the body and hence associates different opportunistic infections. Present study undertook a survey on opportunistic infections. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from both HIV carriers (CD4 count more than 250/mL of blood) and AIDS patients (CD4 count less than 250/mL of blood). Results: Analyses of the data revealed that diarrhoea, pulmonary tuberculosis, gland tuberculosis, skin lesions and fever were the common opportunistic infections. Conclusion: It can be summarized that HIV infected patients having a reduced CD4 count (< 250/mL) encounter different opportunistic infections and some of these infections could be continual for long as well.