Aa
Connection
Can anyone explain the connection between HIV and the infamous dry chough?
A "dry" (nonproductive) cough is a very nonspecific finding. In vast majority of patients, this is self-limiting. In the setting of TB, a "dry cough" is not a common presenting feature in and of itself.
Yes, people with HIV do sometimes cough and yes it is occasionally "dry". Even in this setting there is nothing indicative, worrisome or "infamous" about a "dry" cough by itself.
Yes, people with HIV do sometimes cough and yes it is occasionally "dry". Even in this setting there is nothing indicative, worrisome or "infamous" about a "dry" cough by itself.
This is a punt
But what this could be about is TB. TB and HIV has thought to be something that goes Hand in Hand.
Around 1/3rd of the worlds population has latent TB, which mean they carry the bacteria but their body supresses the bacteria & keeps it at bay. The bacteria lives within the body, but is incapsulated by cells and held captive, or under control. At this state, TB is not really all that much of a danger to a person with latent TB.
BUT IF a person was to have latent TB, and thier imune system is weakened, by HIV, the body can no longer hold the TB bacteria at bay, TB breaks through the bariieris and becomes "Active" meaning the person becomes ill from TB. At this point active TB symptpms set in:
Dry Caugh
Night Sweats
Loss of apetitie
Bloody sputum
yada yada yada
TB is only transfered when a person is suffering from active TB and caughs up the bacteria, spreading it through the air. (just like the common cold) Keeping this in mind, this is one of the main reasons why in Africa TB is rampant, along with HIV.
So if you have TB (latent TB) and get HIV, you are in big trouble.
But what this could be about is TB. TB and HIV has thought to be something that goes Hand in Hand.
Around 1/3rd of the worlds population has latent TB, which mean they carry the bacteria but their body supresses the bacteria & keeps it at bay. The bacteria lives within the body, but is incapsulated by cells and held captive, or under control. At this state, TB is not really all that much of a danger to a person with latent TB.
BUT IF a person was to have latent TB, and thier imune system is weakened, by HIV, the body can no longer hold the TB bacteria at bay, TB breaks through the bariieris and becomes "Active" meaning the person becomes ill from TB. At this point active TB symptpms set in:
Dry Caugh
Night Sweats
Loss of apetitie
Bloody sputum
yada yada yada
TB is only transfered when a person is suffering from active TB and caughs up the bacteria, spreading it through the air. (just like the common cold) Keeping this in mind, this is one of the main reasons why in Africa TB is rampant, along with HIV.
So if you have TB (latent TB) and get HIV, you are in big trouble.
Thanks for your reply however I'm not concerned about having HIV. I’m curious of the connection between the cough and the disease..
You didn't have a risk of contracting HIV and if you have a dry cough it has nothing to do with HIV.
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