HIV/AIDS

Tuberculosis and HIV are the two most lethal infectious diseases in the world today. Each year, three million people are killed by HIV and two million by tuberculosis, despite the fact that HIV infection can be managed with antiretroviral medications and tuberculosis is curable.

Almost one-third of HIV-infected individuals are also infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Because HIV infection progressively impairs immunity, people infected with both HIV and TB are 30 times more likely to develop active tuberculosis. HIV is the main reason that many high-burden countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, have been unable to meet international tuberculosis control targets.

Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among HIV-positive individuals and accounts for 30–40% of AIDS deaths in Africa and Asia. The rapidly increasing HIV epidemic in East European countries and Asia could also increase the number of HIV-related TB cases.

Fortunately, TB treatment is effective for people infected with HIV, and antiretroviral therapy reduces the risk of active TB developing in HIV-positive individuals infected with latent TB. Thus, TB treatment is a key part of HIV/AIDS care, and prevention of HIV is crucial to the control of TB.

One of the biggest obstacles to addressing TB and HIV co-infection is lack of coordination between HIV and TB programs at the international and national levels, as well as on the ground. The World Lung Foundation partners with key groups working to forge solutions to this co-epidemic, including the United States Agency for International Development; World Health Organization; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.

For more information, go to Related Links: TB/HIV