Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, commonly referred to as pneumocystis pneumonia or PCP, is a serious fungal infection that affects the lungs. It is often a side effect of having a weakened immune system due to AIDS, blood diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, or similar diseases.
People get the disease when they inhale a fungus known as Pneumocystis jiroveci. While this is a common fungus that many people inhale, a strong immune system can easily fight it off. As such, only people with compromised immune systems are vulnerable to PCP.
While PCP is a fairly rare condition, it can be very serious if left untreated. In some cases, it can even spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and more. If you leave PCP untreated, it can quickly turn into a life-threatening condition. As such it is important to be on your guard if you have a compromised immune system and to seek immediate medical attention if you think you have PCP.
Currently, antibiotics are the primary treatment for people who have PCP. Specifically, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole are the antibiotics of choice. These medications are usually given orally to people who have a mild to moderate form of the condition. However, if you need to be hospitalized for PCP, these antibiotics are usually given through an IV.
Antibiotics are effective at killing the infection in your lungs. They are currently the only approved way to effectively treat PCP and give you a swift recovery.
While antibiotics are the primary choice for treating PCP infections, antifungal medications may also be effective. Antifungals, such as fluconazole and itraconazole, may be necessary to permanently kill the fungus that is causing your PCP infection. However, they are rarely prescribed, as antibiotics are usually the more effective option.
Additionally, antifungal medications can cause swelling and inflammation, which could make your condition worse by making it harder to breathe.
In addition to antibiotics and antifungals to kill the disease and get you on the road to recovery, you may also benefit from corticosteroids. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone and budesonide, reduce inflammation in the body and are helpful when you have low oxygen levels.
They are sometimes necessary because the infection in your lungs can make it harder to breathe due to swelling in the airways. Corticosteroids reduce this inflammation and help restore your oxygen levels to normal.
While antibiotics, corticosteroids, and antifungals are the best way to treat PCP, they may cause unwanted side effects.
The best way to treat PCP is to prevent it altogether. If you know that you have a compromised immune system and are at risk of developing a serious PCP infection, it is important to take medications that strengthen the immune system. There is no vaccine for PCP, so boosting your immune system is your best option.
While PCP is a rare and treatable lung condition, it can cause serious damage and even prove fatal if you leave it untreated. Therefore, if you have a compromised immune system due to a disease or infection, you should be vigilant against PCP. Seek immediate medical attention if you think you have it, as early diagnosis and treatment are imperative to prevent irreparable lung damage.