2. 4 Other causes of illness

As well as viruses, other infections can affect your health.

These include bacteria, fungi, parasites and protozoa.

Different types of drugs are generally used for each type of  infection.

For example, antibiotics work against bacteria but do not work against viruses.

But sometimes the difference between viral, bacterial and fungal infections is not always clear. A few drugs can sometimes treat several types of infection.

Bacteria

Bacteria are single-cell microorganisms.

Some bacteria are healthy and are good for you. Some bacteria cause disease.

Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics.

These bacterial infections often affect people with HIV.

• Tuberculosis (TB).
• Bacterial pneumonia.
• Sinusitis.
• Gonorrhoea.
• Some skin infections.

Fungi

Fungi are organisms that include moulds, mildews, mushrooms and yeast.

Fungal infections are treated with antifungal drugs.

Fungal infections that affect people with HIV include candida (thrush) and cryptococcal infections.

Parasites and protozoa

A parasite is an animal or plant that gets nutrients and support from another species.

These includes protozoa which are single-celled animals that are larger and more complex than bacteria.

Cryptosporidium and microsporidium are two parasite-related infections.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by a protozoa.

Last updated: 1 January 2023.