Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia natural history

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Pneumocystis pneumonia can be life threatening, causing respiratory failure that can lead to death. People with this condition need early and effective treatment. For moderate to severe pneumocystis pneumonia in people with AIDS, the short term use of corticosteroids has decreased death.

• Pleural effusion (extremely rare)
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
• Respiratory failure (may require breathing support)

Typically, in untreated PCP increasing pulmonary involvement leads to death.

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