Overview
Tuberculosis is a contagious infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that mainly affects the lungs. Tuberculosis can also affect other parts of the body such as the spine, hip, knee, kidneys, and brain. That condition is called extrapulmonary tuberculosis. HIV or human immunodeficiency virus infection is a disease that weakens the immune system. This will increase the risk of getting an opportunistic infection. Tuberculosis is one of the most common opportunistic infections among people with HIV infection. Usually people with untreated latent tuberculosis infection with HIV infection are more likely to develop tuberculosis. HIV infection can be treated with antiretroviral therapy. This helps to reduce the viral count in the body and protects the immune system. Early and effective antiretroviral therapy can help prevent the disease from advancing and prevent opportunistic infections like tuberculosis. People with HIV are always tested for tuberculosis as well. Treatment for tuberculosis with or without HIV infection is the same and treated with anti-TB drugs.
