Share

HIV and Tuberculosis

iStock
Worldwide, Tuberculosis (TB) is now the most common cause of death among people with HIV. TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.The most common symptom of TB in the lungs (often called pulmonary TB) is a persistent cough (longer than 2 weeks), which produces sputum (a mucous substance that is secreted into the airways of the respiratory tract)  that can also be bloody. Weight loss, chills and fevers followed by sweats, fatigue, night sweats, difficulty in breathing and, occasionally, pain in the chest are also common symptoms of TB. These symptoms can appear very slowly and are similar to other illnesses seen in people with HIV.

In HIV positive people with very severe immune damage, TB can spread from the lungs into any part of the body. Often TB affects the lymph nodes, causing them to swell. Other places of TB infection include the gastro-intestinal tract (causing pain and severe diarrhoea), the spine (causing numbness or tingling), the liver (causing inflammation), or the brain. If TB infection affects the brain, people might have symptoms of confusion, change in personality, seizures or difficulty moving parts of the body.

There is some evidence to suggest that having active TB leads to a fall in CD4 cell count and a rise in viral load. This means the effect of HIV may be worse unless ART drugs are given and the TB is treated.

People with HIV who have had TB and been successfully treated are just as likely to benefit from HIV treatment, experiencing the same fall in viral load and increase in CD4 cell count, as HIV positive people who have never had the disease, and living just as long.

CD4 cell count and viral load are the key indicators of the effect HIV is having on the immune system and should be monitored regularly. 

TB may be diagnosed using single or multiple tests. These may include testing sputum samples, tuberculin skin test, chest X-Ray or a blood test.

Treatment for TB can be as challenging as treatment for HIV. There are some risks involved, mainly because the treatments can cause other organ damage as well. Individuals with both HIV and TB, need to be closely monitored by a healthcare provider for the side effects from taking TB and HIV medicines together. In addition, there can be interactions between some of the medicines used, and it can also mean taking a lot of pills. This can be an issue for people who have just been diagnosed with TB and HIV, those who have had HIV for sometime before being diagnosed with TB, and people who are taking HIV treatment and develop TB.

There are interactions between some anti-retroviral (ART) drugs and TB medication. Types of HIV treatment called protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) interact with rifampicin, a key drug included in many anti-TB combinations.

Many doctors recommend either delaying HIV treatment until the TB has been controlled, or even stopping or changing ART medication if a person develops TB whilst taking it. Treatment for HIV and TB can be very complex and it is best for the individual to discuss the treatment best suited to their circumstances with their healthcare provider.

If one has a low CD4 cell count, and starts ART drugs immediately after starting TB treatment, there may be at risk of developing what is called immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). This is when the strengthening immune system is stimulated to attack TB again. This can make one very unwell and cause unpleasant symptoms, particularly fever and an enlargement of the lymph nodes.

The current recommendation is that TB should be treated first if the CD4 cell count is above 350. If the CD4 cell count is between 100 and 350, then the recommendation is to start ART drugs two months after starting anti-TB drugs. If one has a very weak immune system, with a CD4 cell count below 100, the recommendation is to start treatment as soon as possible after starting TB drugs, as the risk of side-effects, drug interactions, and immune reconstitution syndrome are outweighed by the risk of further HIV-related illness and even death if HIV treatment is delayed.

TB prophylaxis, is when people with latent TB are sometimes given an anti-TB drug(s) to prevent the TB becoming active. People who have been in close contact with people who have TB may also be given an anti-TB drug to prevent them becoming infected. The drug normally used is called isoniazid, which is given for at least six months. Sometimes a combination of another drug, rifampicin, with isoniazid can be given for four months.

Many people only find out that they have HIV because they have been diagnosed with TB. It is important to remember that currently there is very effective treatment for TB available, and people with HIV who had their TB treated have gone on to lead long and healthy lives.

(Dr Avron Urison, Medical Director at AllLife Pty Ltd - providers of life insurance for HIV positive individuals.)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE