Mycobacterium avium complex
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Mycobacterium avium complex
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is a group of bacteria, commonly found in soil or water, that can infect people who are living with HIV. In people whose CD4+ cell count drops below 50 cells per microliter (mcL), the bacteria can spread throughout the body and cause infection almost anywhere.
Symptoms include:
- Night sweats.
- Fever.
- Diarrhea.
- Fatigue.
- Weight loss.
- Abdominal pain.
There is no easy way to avoid exposure to Mycobacterium avium complex bacteria. But medications are available that can prevent disease.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 25, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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