Introduction to the 1999 USPHS/IDSA guidelines for the prevention of opportunistic infections in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

Opportunistic infections (OIs) are well recognized to produce substantial morbidity and mortality among patients with HIV infection. Since measures are available for reducing the incidence and the impact of these processes for patients, the United States Public Health Service and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, with endorsing professional societies, have developed guidelines for implementing a comprehensive strategy to prevent these OIs. These guidelines have been developed by a diverse working group of expert health care providers and patient representatives in order to synthesize available data and to provide practical advice for health care practitioners and patients.