It is also known as cotrimoxazole. Antibiotics fight infections caused by bacteria. It is effective and inexpensive.
Many germs live in our bodies or are common in our surroundings.
A healthy immune system can fight them off or keep them under control. However, HIV infection can weaken the immune system. People with advanced HIV disease can get opportunistic infections. See Fact Sheet 500 for more information on Opportunistic Infections . This stands for pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, which affects the lungs.