TUBERCULOSIS

TUBERCULOSIS FACTS - TB and HIV (The AIDS Virus)

How does HIV infection affect TB?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, the AIDS virus) helps TB germs make you sick by attacking the germ fighters in your body. If you are infected with HIV and with TB germs, you have a very big chance of getting TB disease. The TB germs are much more likely to attack your lungs and other parts of the body. But you can be cured.

If you think you might have HIV infection, talk to your doctor about getting an HIV test. If you have HIV infection and TB infection, the sooner you start taking anti-TB medicine, the better your chances are to stay healthy for many years.

If you have HIV infection, it is very important to get tested for TB infection at least once a year. Anti-TB drugs are strong. They can prevent or cure TB disease even in people with HIV infection.

REMEMBER, ANTI-TB DRUGS ONLY WORK WHEN YOU TAKE THEM!