Pneumocystis pneumonia and AIDS
Pneumocystis is a fungus that can sometimes cause pneumonia in people who have AIDS.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Pneumonia can make it hard to breathe and to get enough oxygen into the bloodstream. Symptoms often begin suddenly and may be similar to those of an upper respiratory infection, such as influenza or a cold. Common symptoms of pneumonia include:
CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell that fights infection. Another name for them is T-helper cells. CD4 cells are made in the spleen, lymph nodes, and thymus gland, which are part of the lymph or infection-fighting system. CD4 cells move throughout your body, helping to identify and destroy germs such as bacteria and viruses. The CD4 count measures the number of CD4 cells in a sample of your blood drawn by a needle from a vein in your arm. Along with other tests, the CD4 count helps tell how...
Read the HIV, AIDS, and the CD4 Count article > >
- Fever of 100°F (38°C) to 106°F (41°C).
- Shaking chills.
- Cough that often produces colored mucus (sputum) from the lungs. Sputum may be rust-colored or green or tinged with blood. Older adults may have only a slight cough and no sputum.
- Rapid, often shallow breathing.
- Chest wall pain, often made worse by coughing or deep breathing.
- Fatigue and feelings of weakness (malaise).
Your health professional may suggest an HIV test if Pneumocystis pneumonia is:
- Suspected on a chest X-ray.
- Detected in a test that evaluates sputum (thick fluid produced in the lungs and in the airways leading to the lungs).
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