1.0Glossaryhttps://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossaryGlossaryhttps://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/author/adminglossary/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="xP1X0jSFox"><a href="https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/opportunistic-infection/">Opportunistic infection</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/opportunistic-infection/embed/#?secret=xP1X0jSFox" width="600" height="338" title="“Opportunistic infection” — Glossary" data-secret="xP1X0jSFox" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js </script> An infection that develops in an immune compromised patient that is caused by endogenous, normally nonpathogenic, flora.Infection resulting from a defective immune system.An infection caused by an organism which becomes pathogenic under certain conditions, e.g., during immunosuppression.An infection caused by a microorganism that rarely causes disease in persons with a normal immune system is a term generally used in connection with AIDS.Infection caused by a microorganism that does not normally produce disease in humans; it occurs in persons with abnormally functioning immune systems, for example, those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and those receiving immunosuppressive drugs (e.g., transplant patients).An infection acquired as a result of another condition that lowers the body’s resistance to disease.Infections that occur in people with a weakened immune system. These infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi. A weakened or suppressed immune system may be caused by a number of factors, including long-term treatment with corticosteroids or antibiotics and anticancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Diseases such as leukemia, sickle cell disease, and diabetes can weaken a person's immune system, making him or her more susceptible to infection. Infection with human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, the virus that causes aids, severely weakens the immune system and leads to a high risk of opportunistic infections such as pneumocystis pneumonia. Common opportunistic infections include herpes infections and cytomegalovirus (or CMV).Any infection that results from a defective immune system that cannot defend against pathogens normally found in the environment. Common types include bacterial (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), fungal (Candida albicans), protozoan (Pneumocystis jirouecii), and viral (cytomegalovirus). Opportunistic infections are seen in patients with impaired defenses against disease, such as those with cystic fibrosis, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, acquired or congenital immune deficiencies, or organ transplants.An illness that is due to an organism that causes disease in people with weakened immune systems; commonly found in AIDS patients.An intrusion by microorganisms that typically do not induce infection in individuals with well-functioning immune systems characterizes this particular scenario. These organisms, under normal circumstances, pose minimal risk to human health. However, in the context of compromised or weakened immune defenses, they seize the opportunity to initiate an infection, capitalizing on the susceptibility presented by the impaired immune response.Infections caused by organisms that typically don't lead to serious or widespread consequences in healthy individuals but can result in severe illness or extensive infection in those with a compromised immune system. Immune system impairment can arise from conditions like AIDS or leukemia or from treatments like chemotherapy.Opportunistic infections encompass a range of viral, bacterial, protozoal, and fungal infections. Examples include tuberculosis, herpes simplex, pneumonia, cryptococcosis, and candidiasis (thrush). These infections are treated using the relevant antimicrobial medications.