What causes opportunistic pneumonia?

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is a serious infection caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii. Most people who get PCP have a medical condition that weakens their immune system, like HIV/AIDS, or take medicines (such as corticosteroids) that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness.

What other pathogens can cause pneumonia?

Viruses, bacteria, and fungi can all cause pneumonia. In the United States, common causes of viral pneumonia are influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). A common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus).

Is pneumonia caused by opportunistic bacteria?

However, patients often have combinations of immune defects, and a wide range of other opportunistic infections can cause pneumonia. Importantly, conventional non-opportunistic pathogens are frequently encountered in immunocompromised hosts and should not be overlooked.

Which disease is caused by opportunistic bacteria that target the lungs?

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs. Many germs, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can cause pneumonia. Symptoms include a cough (with mucous), fever, chills, and trouble breathing.

What are the symptoms of Pneumocystis pneumonia?

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an infection in 1 or both of the lungs caused by a fungus. A weak immune system puts a person at risk for PCP. The most common symptoms of PCP are sudden start of fever, cough, trouble breathing that often gets worse with activity, dry cough with little or no mucus, and chest discomfort.

Is PJP pneumonia contagious?

Is Pneumocystis Pneumonia Contagious? PCP is contagious. The fungus that causes it can spread from person to person through the air. People can spread the disease even when they’re healthy and have no symptoms.

Is a group of lung diseases that make it hard to breathe and get worse over time?

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a group of lung diseases that make it hard to breathe and get worse over time. Normally, the airways and air sacs in your lungs are elastic or stretchy.

Is fungal pneumonia common?

Coccidioidomycosis, a fungal disease called “cocci” or “valley fever,” is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia in the southwestern US. In 2011, more than 20,000 cases were reported in the US, twice as many cases as tuberculosis.

What are three types of opportunistic infections?

Key Points

  • Opportunistic infections (OIs) are infections that occur more often or are more severe in people with weakened immune systems than in people with healthy immune systems.
  • HIV damages the immune system.
  • HIV-related OIs include pneumonia, Salmonella infection, candidiasis, toxoplasmosis, and tuberculosis (TB).


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