The causes of MAC
Jul 29, 2004
How do people get MAC? And How long is the treatment?
Response from Dr. Conway
MAC is a bacteria of the same family as tuberculosis and that is present everywhere in the environment, particularly in the soil. We tend to breathe it in. Unless the immune system is very weak (CD4 count below 75 in HIV infection), it rearely causes problems. When it does cause probelms, it can spread everywhere, including the blood. Untreated with a very low CD4 count, it is fatal. Once treatment is started, it must be continued until the CD4 count is well above 100. At that time,treatment can safely be stopped, as eh immune system is able to handle the MAC on its own.
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