A PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON PREVALENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF OPPORTUNISTIC FUNGAL INFECTION IN HIV INDIVIDUALS

This study presents an in-depth evaluation of 307 HIV-infected individuals, integrating global and national HIV perspectives with localized clinical data. The Introduction outlines the virology, epidemiology, transmission routes, and socio-cultural challenges of HIV, particularly in the Indian context. The Results and Discussion further elaborate on the clinical and demographic findings. Among the 307 participants, females constituted 61%, and the 40–49-year age group was the most affected. Most individuals were from labor- intensive occupations, indicating economic hardships. A key finding was the high prevalence of mycosis (44%), with Tenia and Candidiasis being the most common fungal infections, slightly more prevalent in females. ASocial habit analysis showed low rates of smoking and alcohol, but allergies were more common, and comorbidities such as type-2 diabetes and hypertension were present but not widespread. These findings point to the necessity of strengthening follow-up care, improving access to Antifungal Therapies, and addressing underlying factors such as stigma, limited healthcare infrastructure, and poor nutrition that continue to challenge effective HIV management in real-world scenario.