Doctors
Our doctors
Grady is staffed by the nation’s top physicians. We bring the best medical care to Atlanta, with nationally recognized physicians, leading-edge technology, and world-class facilities.
HIV/AIDS & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Atlanta’s Leader in HIV Care and Support, Globally renowned
Georgia leads the nation in HIV rates for adults and adolescents. That’s why Grady opened the Ponce De Leon Center in 1986. Today, it is one of America’s largest, most comprehensive facilities dedicated to treating advanced HIV/AIDS, providing medical and support services to 6,200 men, women, and children every year.
Conditions Treated
Treatment for HIV-related conditions
HIV/AIDS patients often develop a variety of opportunistic infections and HIV-related cancers that can be caused by viruses, bacteria, funguses, and even parasites. We treat them all. Here are just a few of the most common:
Cancer
HIV/AIDS patients often develop a variety of opportunistic infections and HIV-related cancers that can be caused by viruses, bacteria, funguses, and even parasites. We treat them all. Here are just a few of the most common:Candidiasis
Candidiasis
Candidiasis, sometimes called thrush, is a fungal infection of the mouth, esophagus and/or vagina. Most people already have the Candida fungus in their bodies, but the body keeps it in check. If your immune system is weakened, you are more likely to develop problems.
Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis is caused by a fungus. Most people don’t have symptoms. Others will feel like they have the flu, sometimes with chest pain and a cough. Infection can lead to meningitis, including headache, fever, and altered mental states. Treatment with antifungal drugs usually is given for a long period of time and sometimes for life. Sometimes surgery is required to remove infected tissue.
Cryptococcosis
This fungus is present in soil, usually where there are bird droppings, particularly those of pigeons. It can be passed through the air or wind. It’s important to avoid handling birds, including pets, and to avoid areas with lots of bird droppings. The fungus can infect different organs, including lungs, heart, and central nervous system. Symptoms vary, depending on where the infection occurs. The infection is very serious and can lead to meningitis and pneumonia.
Cryptosporidiosis
This infection is caused by a parasite that can be found in feces and water. The main treatment for cryptosporidiosis is effective HIV treatment. In conjunction with HIV treatment, antimicrobials can hasten clearance and improve resolution of diarrhea. No medication has been shown to cure cryptosporidiosis in the absence of HIV treatment.
Cytomegalovirus
Cytomegalovirus is passed by close contact through sex and through saliva, urine, and other body fluids. It can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy and by breastfeeding. If you are not infected, using condoms during sex may help prevent infection. Drugs can keep symptoms of the infection under control. Anti-HIV drugs can improve the condition, too. Treatment can prevent further loss of vision but cannot reverse existing damage. If you experience any vision problems, tell your provider immediately.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a virally transmitted infection that can lead to lifelong liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, and death. People living with HIV/AIDS are often coinfected with the hepatitis C virus, which is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer and is the most common reason for liver transplantation. New therapies are very effective for the treatment of hepatitis C. In 90 percent of cases, the disease can be cured within months of starting treatment.
Herpes simplex virus
Herpes simplex is common in many people, but more frequent or severe in those with HIV outbreaks. Symptoms include outbreaks of red, painful sores on the mouth (“fever blisters”), genitals, or anal area. Drugs are available to help herpes blisters heal, but there’s no cure. Outbreaks may occur periodically for the rest of your life. Taking an anti-herpes medication every day can help reduce the number of outbreaks.
Histoplasmosis
This infection is caused by a fungus. It can be serious but is treatable with medications, which need to be continued until the immune system has improved with HIV treatment. In some parts of the country, medication is given to HIV-positive patients with low CD4 counts in order to prevent histoplasmosis.
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders
HIV can invade the brain and cause a variety of symptoms. Sometimes this disease is called “HIV encephalopathy” or “AIDS dementia” when the symptoms are severe. It is most common in people who are not on effective HIV medications and when the CD4 cell count is very low. This condition is less common with early and continuous treatment of HIV, but less severe forms of cognitive disease are increasingly recognized.
HIV wasting syndrome
Wasting syndrome involves the loss of more than 10 percent of a person’s body weight, accompanied by diarrhea or weakness and fever that last at least 30 days. The condition may occur in people with advanced HIV disease, and can be caused by many things. The most important treatment uses antiretroviral medications. The condition may also be controlled by eating a good diet.
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC)
This condition is caused by bacteria that are present everywhere in the environment. It is difficult to avoid exposure because MAC is in so many places, but it usually causes illness only in people with very weakened immune systems, like those with advanced HIV disease. HIV drugs, by helping your immune system stay strong, can help your body fight the infection.
Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) is caused by a fungus that is found in many places in the environment. Nearly two out of three children have been exposed to it by age 4. However, PCP usually occurs in persons with a low CD4 cell count. The fungus can affect many organs, the most common being the lung.
Pneumonia
Persons infected with HIV are much more likely than people who are HIV /negative to develop bacterial pneumonia. Fortunately, these pneumonias can be treated with available antibiotics. HIV-infected persons should receive vaccines to help prevent infections.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)
This disease is caused by a virus called the JC virus. Most people probably are infected early in life. In HIV-positive people the virus can cause disease. The virus is possibly spread through sexual contact, or from mother to child. HIV therapy can reverse the symptoms and keep the JC virus under control.
Salmonella septicemia
Salmonella is a bacteria often found in food such as undercooked poultry, eggs, and unpasteurized milk. It is also present in water, soil, and on certain animals, such as reptiles. It is usually treated with antibiotics. Drug therapy may be required for life to prevent relapses.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis can occur in people with advanced immune system disease caused by HIV. It can be treated with antibiotics, which need to be continued until the immune system improves through anti-HIV therapy.
Tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis disease is caused by a bacteria passed through the air when someone with tuberculosis coughs, sneezes, or talks. It is spread easily in closed-in places. Tuberculosis can occur at any time in the course of HIV infection, but most often when CD4 cell counts are low. TB can be prevented and usually is curable.
LOCATION DetailS
Ponce De Leon Center Locations and Directions
Ponce De Leon Center
Phone:
(404) 616-2440 (Main)
(404) 616-1000 (Appointments)
Location:
341 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
RESEARCH
HIV/AIDS Research at Grady
As one of the nation’s elite teaching hospitals, Grady’s clinicians have been involved in a variety of research programs that have sought to improve the treatment of HIV/AIDS. We remain committed to doing vital research that will continue to redefine its care.
SUCCESS STORIES
An amazing place to get well
See how these people received life-changing care for HIV/AIDS at Grady.
patient story
That’s powerful medicine
Andrew W.
“So fortunate to have a world class physician caring for me.”
Watch Their Story