Question 1

what are the tests for pneumocystis infection?

Accepted Answer

Several: A chest x-ray can be suggestive but staining of the respiratory secretions to see the cyst form of the organism is the best test for this infection found almost entirely in severely immune suppressed people.

Question 2

will pneumocystis infection kill me?

Accepted Answer

It can: It is unfortunate that by the time you get pneumocystis your immune system is severely compromised. It is a treatable condition with good but not excellent survival chances. Treatment should continue until your immune system builds back up again.

Question 3

should i see a specialist for pneumocystis infection, or can my regular doctor take care of it?

Accepted Answer

Pneumocystis: Best to see a specialist since this is a pretty uncommon infection and most general doctors will have little experience in managing it, unless they do a lot of hiv/aids work or cancer treatment. The other reason to see a specialist is that most pneumocystis occurs in the context of a disease that impairs your immune system, and this needs to be evaluated as well.

Question 4

can radiation therapy for lung cancer also treat a pneumocystis infection?

Accepted Answer

No: Pneumocystis is an infectious organism. It can only be treated with specific antibiotics. On the other hand, radiation can weaken the immune system and cause pneumocystis pneumonia.

Question 5

with pneumocystis infections what else should i be concerned about?

Accepted Answer

Immune deficiency: Pneumocystis infection generally occurs in people with immune deficiency.  At a minimum you should be tested for HIV infection.

Question 6

what are the tests for pneumocystis infections?

Accepted Answer

Several: A chest x-ray can be suggestive but staining of the respiratory secretions to see the cyst form of the organism is the best test for this infection found almost entirely in severely immune suppressed people.

Question 7

how common is it for somebody to get pneumocystis infections?

Accepted Answer

Normally uncommon: This is generally a disease which affects immunocompromised individuals.  Patients with hiv-aids, those with certain malignancies, or other conditions in which normal host-defenses have been diminished are most affected.  Seldom seen in "normal" individuals.

Question 8

are there long-term effects of pneumocystis infections?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Pneumocystis infection commonly occurs in patients with immune deficiency and that has long term consequences.

Question 9

my friend has a lung infection caused by pneumocystis jirovecii and my cbc lab results from one week ago show lymph# 0.7. should i avoid contact with her?

Accepted Answer

: Pneumocystis infections are largely opportunistic infections that occur in immunocompromised people caused by chemotherapy or prior treatment with potent antibiotics. I don't consider  this type of infection a particularly contagious situation for you, but you should wear a mask when visiting. It's advisable to also check with the staff or with your MD about precautions though.

Question 10

why would someone with pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia have purple spots on body?

Accepted Answer

Could be other cause: Patients with pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia can be very sick & develop other complications such as sepsis. Many of them have other underlying disorders or immune system compromise (such as HIV or transplant related immunosuppression) which puts them at risk for severe sepsis. Those purple spots may be related to their critical illness & not due to pneumocystis jirovecii itself.

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Doctor answers about:

Pneumocystis infection medication

A member asked:

What are the tests for pneumocystis infection?

A member asked:

Will pneumocystis infection kill me?

A member asked:

Should i see a specialist for pneumocystis infection, or can my regular doctor take care of it?

A member asked:

Can radiation therapy for lung cancer also treat a pneumocystis infection?

A member asked:

With pneumocystis infections what else should i be concerned about?

A member asked:

What are the tests for pneumocystis infections?

A member asked:

How common is it for somebody to get pneumocystis infections?

A member asked:

Are there long-term effects of pneumocystis infections?

A member asked:

My friend has a lung infection caused by pneumocystis jirovecii and my cbc lab results from one week ago show lymph# 0.7. should i avoid contact with her?

A member asked:

Why would someone with pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia have purple spots on body?

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