MAC can also cause blood infections, hepatitis, skin lesions, pneumonia, and many other serious diseases. MAC occurs in people with AIDS who have very low t-cells. MAC almost never occurs in people with over 100 t-cells. The blood test is not perfect and sometimes other tests are needed. Biopsies involve taking a sample of the liver or bone marrow by a big needle.
Biopsies can be painful, but are more reliable than stool tests.
It is a pill that you take every day. Rifabutin causes side effects such as rashes, blood problems, and nausea in some people. Rifabutin helps some people, but does not prevent MAC in everybody. You should talk with your doctor about whether Rifabutin is something you should take. Because people who are anemic are more likely to get MAC, your doctor should monitor your red blood cell count regularly and can provide treatment if your count is low.