Question
Can a person get a MAC infection without being HIV-positive?
29 April 2008. Related: All topics, Opportunistic infections.
Answer
Disseminated infections are usually associated with HIV infection. Less commonly, pulmonary disease in nonimmunocompromised persons is a result of infection with MAC. In children, the most common syndrome is cervical lymphadenitis.
The immune system can be very weak as a result of chemotherapy,
Hi Kathy,
MAC (Mycobacterium avium complex) is a bacterial infection that can infect the lungs. You don’t have to have HIV to have MAC. But MAC lung disease occurs rarely in people with immune systems that work well.
People living with HIV who develop AIDS unfortunately have immune systems that don’t work well at all.
If you’re worried about HIV it’s a good idea to get tested. The good news is that, because of current HIV treatment, there are millions of people living well with HIV who don’t have AIDS.
Please clarify this answer.If I have MAC does it mean I have HIV?Yes or no?If I have MAC in my lung does it mean I have HIV?If I have HIV does that mean I have AIDS?Yes or no?