Oppurtunistic Infections
In our bodies, we carry many germs - bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. When our immune system is working, it controls these germs. But when the immune system is weakened by HIV disease or by some medications, these germs can get out of control and cause health problems. Infections that take advantage of weakness in the immune defenses are called "opportunistic". The phrase "opportunistic infection" is often shortened to "OI". TESTING FOR OIs You can be infected with an OI, and "test positive" for it, even though you don't have the disease. For example, almost everyone with HIV tests positive for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) . But it is very rare for CMV disease to develop unless the CD4 cell count drops below 50, a sign of serious damage to the immune system. To see if you're infected with an OI, your blood might be tested for antigens (pieces of the germ that causes the OI) or for antibodies (proteins made by the immune system to fight ...