Some Opportunistic Infections in Childhood: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment Methods

Abstract

The article discusses the features of the emergence and development of the so-called opportunistic infections that occur in children with weakened immunity. Such infections are often caused by non-tuberculosis mycobacteria, fungi, and herpesviruses, and such infections can also develop in children who are treated with immunobiological drugs. Since these are serious and rapidly developing diseases, the diagnosis should be made at the earliest stages of the development of the disease and be based on the features of clinical phenomena described in the literature and anamnesis data indicating the presence of such infections. The earlier an infection is detected, the faster it will be possible to start appropriate therapy. The relevance of this topic is due to the fact that, despite the improvement in the diagnosis of opportunistic infections in recent years, they still are a problem for pediatricians, who are not always able to diagnose them in time. Accordingly, the pediatrician should, in case of suspicion of the presence of such an infection in a child patient, contact specialists who have experience in their treatment in order to take timely measures to stop the development of the disease. The aim of the study is to consider the features of some opportunistic infections in childhood, their causes, diagnosis, and treatment methods.