Opportunistic infections and psychosocial stress in HIV.

Persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are susceptible to both opportunistic infections and psychosocial crises at varying stages of their disease. Many interventions, including lifestyle changes and chemoprophylaxis, may help prevent, delay or lessen the extent of the morbidities associated with immunodeficiency. In appropriate patients, prophylaxis for infections with Pneumocystis carinii, Mycobacterium avium complex and Toxoplasma helps to reduce morbidity.