What is pneumocystis pneumonia?
Pneumocystis pneumonia is a fungal infection that occurs in one or both lungs.
It's strange, but the fact is that many people live with the fungus that causes this infection (inhabits the lungs) every day - it usually doesn't cause problems in people with healthy immune systems, but when the immune system is compromised (when the immune system is weakened by AIDS, cancer, organ transplants, immune-suppressing drugs, etc. during diseases) the risk of developing pneumocystis pneumonia increases significantly.
This pathology is very serious and requires urgent medical intervention - it is characterized by progression, exacerbation, and if untreated, the risk of fatal outcome is high.
Symptoms develop over several weeks or months.
The following signs are characteristic:
- Sudden fever;
- Cough;
- Breathing problem (the condition worsens during physical exertion);
- Dry cough;
- Feeling of tightness in the chest;
- Weight loss;
- Night sweats.
After physical examination and anamnesis study, the following studies are recommended for diagnosis:
- Chest X-ray;
- Blood analysis;
- Sputum test;
- Bronchoscopy.
In the acute course, it becomes necessary to hospitalize the patient. Appropriate antibiotics and other types of medication are provided for treatment.
Source:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/pneumocystis-pneumonia-or-pcp
