Pneumonia in immunodeficient patient; Pneumonia - immunocompromised host

Antibiotics or antifungal medicines are used, depending on the type of germ that is causing the infection. Patients usually must stay in the hospital, at least during the early stages of the illness.

Oxygen and respiratory treatments to remove fluid and mucus are often needed.

The outcome may be poor if the pneumonia is caused by a virus or fungus, or if the patient's immune system is severely weakened.

• Respiratory failure (the person needs machines to assist in breathing)
• Sepsis
• Spread of the infection
• Death

Call your health care provider if you have a weakened immune system and you have symptoms of pneumonia.

Images

The lungs

Pneumococci organism

Lungs

Respiratory system

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Review Date: 06/09/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)