Tuberculosis and HIV

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of HIV-related deaths worldwide. In some countries with high HIV prevalence, up to 80% of people with TB test positive for HIV. In 2007, there were an estimated 1.37 million new cases of tuberculosis globally among HIV-infected people and an estimated 456 000 of them died despite the fact that TB is curable.

For many years, the efforts to tackle TB and HIV have been largely separate, despite the overlapping epidemiology. However, it is now increasingly recognized that only through combined and coordinated efforts for both TB and HIV can this dual epidemic be halted. The WHO recommends twelve collaborative TB/HIV actions including 'The Three Is': Isoniazid Preventive Treatment (IPT), intensified case finding (ICF) for active TB, and TB Infection Control (IC), are key public health strategies focused on decreasing the impact of TB on people living with HIV.

In 2004, just 4% of TB patients in Africa were tested for HIV; in 2007 that number rose to 37%, with several countries testing more than 75% of TB patients for their HIV status. Because of increased testing for HIV among TB patients, more people are getting appropriate treatment though the numbers still remain a small fraction of those in need. In 2007, 200 000 HIV-positive TB patients were enrolled on co-trimoxazole treatment to prevent opportunistic infections and 100 000 were on antiretroviral therapy.

The WHO HIV/AIDS and TB departments and their partners focus on joint efforts for HIV/TB advocacy, policy development and implementation in countries. WHO also develops and promotes tools and guidelines to support countries in improving TB/HIV collaboration.