HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is the deadliest infectious disease in
the world today, killing more than two million
people each year, primarily in the developing
world. Although HIV infection can be
successfully managed with antiretroviral
medications, these have historically been
unaffordable in the countries that need them
most.
Almost a third of HIV-infected individuals are also infected with tuberculosis. Because the immune systems of people infected with HIV become increasingly more damaged as the disease progresses, people with both HIV and TB infection are 30 times more likely to develop active tuberculosis. TB is the leading cause of death among HIV-positive individuals and accounts for 30 to 40% of AIDS deaths in Africa and Asia.
Tuberculosis treatment is very effective for people infected with HIV, and antiretroviral therapy reduces the risk of HIV-positive individuals infected with latent TB from developing active tuberculosis disease. Thus, TB treatment is a key part of HIV/AIDS care, and prevention of HIV is critically linked to the control of TB.
One of the biggest obstacles to addressing tuberculosis and HIV co-infection is the lack of coordination among HIV and TB programs at the international and national levels, as well as in the community. World Lung Foundation works with key groups to pilot innovative solutions among HIV and TB programs and to raise awareness worldwide of the deadly synergy between these two diseases.
WLF partners in HIV/AIDS efforts
Almost a third of HIV-infected individuals are also infected with tuberculosis. Because the immune systems of people infected with HIV become increasingly more damaged as the disease progresses, people with both HIV and TB infection are 30 times more likely to develop active tuberculosis. TB is the leading cause of death among HIV-positive individuals and accounts for 30 to 40% of AIDS deaths in Africa and Asia.
Tuberculosis treatment is very effective for people infected with HIV, and antiretroviral therapy reduces the risk of HIV-positive individuals infected with latent TB from developing active tuberculosis disease. Thus, TB treatment is a key part of HIV/AIDS care, and prevention of HIV is critically linked to the control of TB.
One of the biggest obstacles to addressing tuberculosis and HIV co-infection is the lack of coordination among HIV and TB programs at the international and national levels, as well as in the community. World Lung Foundation works with key groups to pilot innovative solutions among HIV and TB programs and to raise awareness worldwide of the deadly synergy between these two diseases.
WLF partners in HIV/AIDS efforts
- United States Agency for International Development
- World Health Organization
- Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
- International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease