IMPORTANT NOTES NORMAL LABORATORY VALUES TERMINOLOGY IMPORTANT NOTES: Each commercial laboratory has its own set of “normal” values, called “Normal Range” or “Reference Range” on your lab report. These values depend on the equipment or method used. Compare your results to the range shown on your lab report. Results that…

WHAT IS ZIDOVUDINE? WHO SHOULD TAKE ZIDOVUDINE? WHAT ABOUT DRUG RESISTANCE? HOW IS ZIDOVUDINE TAKEN? WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? HOW DOES ZIDOVUDINE REACT WITH OTHER DRUGS? WHAT IS ZIDOVUDINE? Zidovudine (Retrovir®, AZT) is a drug used for antiretroviral therapy (ART). It was first manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. Glaxo’s patent on…

THE COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC) RED BLOOD CELL TESTS WHITE BLOOD CELL TESTS THE COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC) The most common laboratory test is the complete blood count (CBC). It examines the components of blood, including red and white blood cells and platelets. Most test results are reported as amounts…

WHAT IS ANEMIA? WHAT CAUSES ANEMIA? ANEMIA AND HIV HOW IS ANEMIA TREATED? THE BOTTOM LINE WHAT IS ANEMIA? Anemia is a shortage of hemoglobin (HGB). HGB is a protein in red blood cells. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Anemia causes fatigue, shortness…

WHAT IS THRUSH? CAN IT BE PREVENTED? HOW IS IT TREATED? NATURAL THERAPIES THE BOTTOM LINE WHAT IS THRUSH? Candidiasis is a common opportunistic infection in people with HIV. It is an infection caused by a common type of yeast (or fungus) called candida. This yeast is found in most…

WHAT IS CMV? HOW IS CMV TREATED? CAN CMV BE PREVENTED? HOW DO I CHOOSE A TREATMENT FOR CMV? THE BOTTOM LINE WHAT IS CMV? Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an opportunistic infection. The virus is very common. Between 50% and 85% of the US population tests positive for CMV by the…

WHAT IS KS? HOW IS KS TREATED? CAN KS BE PREVENTED? WHAT ELSE IS BEING STUDIED FOR KS? THE BOTTOM LINE WHAT IS KS? Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a cancer-like disease. It originally was known as a disease affecting elderly men of Eastern European or Mediterranean background. KS also occurs…

WHAT IS ATOVAQUONE? WHAT IS PCP? WHAT IS TOXOPLASMOSIS? HOW IS ATOVAQUONE USED? WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? HOW DOES ATOVAQUONE INTERACT WITH OTHER DRUGS? THE BOTTOM LINE WHAT IS ATOVAQUONE? Atovaquone is an antibiotic. Sometimes it is prescribed to treat pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP, see Fact Sheet 515). It is…

WHAT IS PENTAMIDINE? WHAT IS PCP? HOW IS PENTAMIDINE USED? WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? HOW DOES PENTAMIDINE INTERACT WITH OTHER DRUGS? THE BOTTOM LINE WHAT IS PENTAMIDINE? Pentamidine (sold as NebuPent®, Pentam®, and Pentacarinat®) is a treatment for pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). See Fact Sheet 515 for more information on…

WHAT IS DAPSONE? WHY DO PEOPLE WITH HIV TAKE DAPSONE? WHAT ABOUT DRUG RESISTANCE? HOW IS DAPSONE TAKEN? WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS? HOW DOES DAPSONE REACT WITH OTHER DRUGS? WHAT IS DAPSONE? Dapsone is an antibiotic drug. It is sold as Dapsone or Avlosulfon®. Antibiotics fight infections caused by…