What Is Pcp?
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames your lungs' air sacs. The air sacs may fill
up with fluid or pus, causing symptoms such as a cough with phlegm, fever, ...
PCP is a kind of pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jiroveci (P. jiroveci). (Say the name this way: "new-mo-sis-tis yee-row-vet-zee-eye.") It used to be called Pneumocystis cariniipneumonia. Most people infected with P. jirovecidon't get pneumonia because their immune systems are healthy and strong. People whose immune systems are weak because of HIV infection can get PCP. PCP is less common than it used to be, but it's still the most common serious infection in people with advanced HIV disease in the United States.
How Would I Know If I Have Pcp?
If you get PCP, you probably will have fever, cough, trouble breathing (especially with exercise) or chest tightness. See your doctor right away if you have these symptoms. Most cases are mild, but people with severe PCP may die if the infection isn't treated quickly. PCP is diagnosed by lab tests of fluid or tissue from your lungs.
How Do You Get Pcp?
Most scientists believe PCP is spread in the air, but they don't know if it lives in the soil or someplace else. P. jiroveciis common all over the world. Since you can't help being exposed to P. jiroveci, you should get medical care so you won't get PCP. (PCP is not spread by sex.)
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