The Body: The Complete HIV/AIDS Resource
Professionals >> Visit The Body PROThe Body en Espanol
  • Email Email
  • Printable Single-Page Print-Friendly
  • Glossary Glossary

You Can Prevent MAC (Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium Complex Disease)

June 21, 2007

  • About 20 to 30 percent of people with AIDS get MAC disease.
  • Adults usually don't get MAC disease until their T-cell count drops below 50, but children can get it earlier.
  • You can get MAC disease more than once.
  • There are several drugs you can take to prevent MAC disease.

What is Mycobacterium avium complex disease?

Mycobacterium avium [MY-co-bak-TEER-ee-um A-vee-um] complex, also known as "MAC," is the name of a group of germs. These germs can infect people who are living with HIV. Adults with HIV usually don't get MAC disease until their T-cell count drops below 50. Because MAC disease occurs later in the course of HIV infection, it usually is not the first sickness a person with HIV gets. Most people with HIV have already been diagnosed with AIDS before they get MAC. About 20 to 30 percent of people with AIDS get MAC disease.


Can children get MAC disease?

Can Children Get MAC Disease?Yes. The risk of MAC for children with HIV goes up as their T-cell count goes down, just as it does for adults. However, children who get MAC disease usually get it before their T-cell count falls to 50. Children with HIV usually have higher T-cell counts than adults with HIV.

What are the symptoms of MAC disease?

Although MAC usually infects persons through their lungs or intestines, it spreads quickly through the bloodstream, causing widespread or "disseminated" disease. People with disseminated MAC disease can have fever, night sweats, weight loss, abdominal pain, tiredness, and diarrhea.

How is MAC disease diagnosed?

MAC disease is diagnosed by laboratory tests that can identify the MAC germ in samples of blood, bone marrow, or tissue.

How do people get MAC disease?

People with AIDS probably get MAC disease through normal contact with air, food, and water. MAC disease has been found in many types of animals, including birds, chickens, pigs, cows, rabbits, and dogs. MAC germs can be found in most sources of drinking water, including treated water systems, and in dirt and household dust. MAC disease does not seem to be spread from one person to another.

How can I avoid MAC disease?


When should I get treatment to prevent MAC disease?

How Can I Avoid MAC Disease?Because MAC disease occurs in people with very low T-cell counts, you should not get treatment to prevent MAC disease until your T-cell count is below 50. Your doctor will tell you when you or your child need to begin treatment for preventing MAC disease.

What drugs are used to prevent MAC?

Drugs which can reduce your chances of getting MAC disease are

  • clarithromycin [kla-REE-thro-MY-sin]
  • azithromycin [a-ZEE-thro-MY-sin]
  • rifabutin [rif-a-BU-tin]

Ask your doctor whether you should take one of these drugs.

Can the drugs used to prevent MAC disease cause side effects?

Yes. Rifabutin can cause eye irritation. If you are taking rifabutin or other drugs to prevent MAC, see your doctor regularly and report any side effects.

If I have already had MAC disease, can I get it again?

Yes. If you have had MAC disease, continue to take drugs to treat and prevent further MAC disease. MAC disease is most commonly treated with a combination of clarithromycin and ethambutol [eth-AM-bu-tol], with or without rifabutin.

For more information, call

Free referrals and information:


Free materials:

CDC National Prevention Information Network
(800) 458-5231
1-301-562-1098 (International)
P.O. Box 6003
Rockville, MD 20849-6003

Free HIV/AIDS treatment information:

(800) 448-0440
Project Inform
(800) 822-7422

Drugs undergoing clinical trials:

(800) 448-0440

Social Security benefits:

Social Security Administration
(800) 772-1213
Child Health Insurance Program
CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention Internet address:

Additional brochures in the Opportunisitic Infections Series:


  • Email Email
  • Printable Single-Page Print-Friendly
  • Glossary Glossary

See Also
More on Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC)