Opportunistic infections Damage to the immune system from HIV can result in the development of opportunistic infections (OIs), infections common to HIV/AIDS that occur when the body's immune system is weakened. Symptoms vary and may include such different signs as cold sores and extreme weight loss. Common OIs include:
Coinfections Many HIV-positive people are also infected with other diseases called coinfections. Patients who are HIV-positive are commonly co-infected with HCV due to shared routes of transmission: percutaneous exposure to blood, sexual intercourse, and from a mother to her infant. Infection with HCV can be asymptomatic, self-limiting, or progress to cirrhosis or cancer. For more information about hepatitis and HIV coinfections, please follow this link.