What is the primary treatment used for reducing the risk of opportunistic infections in AIDS patients?

The primary treatment for reducing the risk of opportunistic infections in AIDS patients is highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HAART effectively suppresses the viral load of HIV, helping to restore and maintain the immune system function in individuals infected with the virus. By achieving and maintaining an undetectable viral load, HAART significantly lowers the risk of progression to AIDS and consequently reduces the likelihood of opportunistic infections that can arise when the immune system is severely compromised.

Opportunistic infections are prevalent in patients with low CD4 counts, which is a marker of immune system health in the context of HIV/AIDS. The use of HAART can lead to a substantial increase in CD4 cell counts, enhancing the body’s ability to respond to infections and preventing the onset of opportunistic diseases such as Pneumocystis pneumonia, candidiasis, and various bacterial infections.

While prophylactic antibiotics and antifungals, such as fluconazole, can be important in certain contexts to prevent specific infections once a patient becomes immunocompromised, the overarching strategy to decrease the overall risk of opportunistic infections is effective viral suppression through HAART. Cytotoxic therapy is not a standard treatment for HIV or opportunistic infections associated with AIDS; it is generally used