Recent developments in the management of the pulmonary complications of HIV disease. The immune deficiency caused by HIV provides an ideal opportunity for the re-activation of tuberculosis or the acquisition of tuberculosis. Unlike many other opportunistic infections associated with HIV, tuberculosis can be transmitted to other household residents, friends and health care workers with normal or abnormal immune systems. Prevention of reactivation of tuberculosis and early identification of active tuberculosis cases is important for the individual and for public health reasons. Several important issues must be considered when managing HIV-infected individuals with possible tuberculosis infection.
Careful examination is required to rule out the possibility of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis cases and the initiation of appropriate infection control measures, particularly during administration of aerosolized pentamidine and hospital admission, are required to prevent outbreaks. This guideline is for reference and education only and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of an appropriate health care professional or for independent research and judgement. The CMA relies on the source of the CPG to provide updates and to notify us if the guideline becomes outdated. The CMA assumes no responsibility or liability arising from any outdated information or from any error in or omission from the guideline or from the use of any information contained in it.