HIV/AIDS and TB > What are HIV and AIDS? > HIV/AIDS and TB > What is the Association between TB and HIV?
Back to top

What is the Association between TB and HIV?

TB and HIV form a lethal combination, each speeding the other’s progress. It is essential to offer TB patients HIV testing with counselling. HIV weakens the immune system, increasing the susceptibility of an individual to TB infection and the progression of TB infection to disease. TB is a leading cause of death among people living with HIV. Early diagnosis and effective treatment of TB ensures a cure and stops transmission to others. Among HIV-infected patients it is critical to diagnose and treat TB early in order to reduce mortality and morbidity. It is possible to treat TB and HIV together but the combined treatment may be associated with greater side effects.