info.mycology@witshealth.co.za

Living with HIV? Learn About
Cryptococcal Infection

Early Testing and Treatment Can Save Your Life.

Living with HIV? Learn About
Cryptococcal Infection

Building Fungal Disease Surveillance Capacity in the Southern African Region.

Building Fungal Disease Surveillance Capacity in the Southern African Region.

You may feel well today… but you could have a hidden cryptococcal infection. 

Cryptococcus causes a serious fungal infection that can affect people living with HIV when their immune system is weak. At first, you may have no symptoms
at all. A simple blood test and lumbar puncture can find cryptococcus early, before it
becomes life-threatening.

Watch the short
video to learn about:

  • What cryptococcal infection is

  • Why early testing is importan

  • What happens if your blood test is positive

  • Why a lumbar puncture may be needed

     

  • How treatment can save your life

     

Early Testing and Treatment Can Save Your Life.

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have questions
about cryptococcal infection.

Why Early Testing Matters

  • Cryptococcus often starts as a hidden blood infection.

  • You may feel completely healthy and not know you have it.

     

  • Finding cryptococcal infection early gives you the best chance of successful treatment.

     

  • Without treatment, the cryptococcal infection in the blood can spread to the brain and cause meningitis, which can be life-threatening.

  • Finding cryptococcal infection early gives you the best chance of successful treatment.

     

Protect Your Health

If you are living with HIV:

  • Take your HIV medication (ART) every day.

  • Attend your clinic appointments as indicated.

  • Have a CD4 blood test if your healthcare worker recommends it.

  • If you have a positive blood test for cryptococcal infection, return urgently for your follow- up appointment

  • Have a lumbar puncture when your healthcare worker recommends it.

     

  • Take all your medication exactly as prescribed.

     

     

Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have questions
about cryptococcal infection. 

Follow us for more WITS Mycology Community news:

Instagram
TikTok
YouTube