Provision of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive TB patients - 19 countries, sub-Saharan Africa, 2009-2013

All HIV-positive tuberculosis (TB) patients should receive antiretroviral therapy, which reduces the incidence of HIV-associated TB and reduces mortality among HIV-positive TB patients. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces the incidence of HIV-associated TB disease, and early initiation of ART after the start of TB treatment reduces progression of HIV infection and death among HIV-positive TB patients. In spite of recommendations for all HIV-positive TB patients to receive ART, a high proportion of persons with TB disease and HIV infection who should be on life-saving are not yet receiving treatment.