HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) are both infectious communicable diseases. Together they have claimed more than 100 000 deaths annually in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region in recent years. It is estimated that at least one third of all people, including people living with HIV, are infected with TB.
HIV compromises the human immune system leading to accelerated progression from latent TB to actual TB disease. This is why HIV infection is one of the strongest risk factors for developing TB disease in people with latent or new Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. It is estimated that the risk of developing TB is between 20 to 35 times greater in people living with HIV than among those who do not have HIV. TB is responsible for more than a quarter of deaths in people living with HIV.
Responding to the dual epidemics of HIV and TB, WHO recommends 12 collaborative TB/HIV activities. They include interventions that can reduce morbidity and mortality from TB in people living with HIV, such as the provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the so called ‘three I’s’ for HIV/TB: intensified case-finding of TB, isoniazid preventive therapy and TB infection control.
The role of the regional Stop TB programme in addressing TB/HIV is to:
contribute to the development of global guidelines on TB/HIV
support countries in developing national guidelines, standard operating procedures and training materials
support countries in building national capacity to better manage TB/HIV coinfection
foster, monitor and evaluate the implementation of TB/HIV collaborative activities at national level.
TB/HIV
HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) are both infectious communicable diseases. Together they have claimed more than 100 000 deaths annually in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region in recent years. It is estimated that at least one third of all people, including people living with HIV, are infected with TB.
HIV compromises the human immune system leading to accelerated progression from latent TB to actual TB disease. This is why HIV infection is one of the strongest risk factors for developing TB disease in people with latent or new Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. It is estimated that the risk of developing TB is between 20 to 35 times greater in people living with HIV than among those who do not have HIV. TB is responsible for more than a quarter of deaths in people living with HIV.
Responding to the dual epidemics of HIV and TB, WHO recommends 12 collaborative TB/HIV activities. They include interventions that can reduce morbidity and mortality from TB in people living with HIV, such as the provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the so called ‘three I’s’ for HIV/TB: intensified case-finding of TB, isoniazid preventive therapy and TB infection control.
The role of the regional Stop TB programme in addressing TB/HIV is to:
contribute to the development of global guidelines on TB/HIV
support countries in developing national guidelines, standard operating procedures and training materials
support countries in building national capacity to better manage TB/HIV coinfection
foster, monitor and evaluate the implementation of TB/HIV collaborative activities at national level.
TB/HIV
