Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia risk factors
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
This type of pneumonia is caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jiroveci. This fungus is common in the environment and does not cause illness in healthy people. However, it can cause a lung infection in people with a weakened immune system due to:
- Cancer
- Chronic use of corticosteroids or other medications that weaken the immune system
- HIV/AIDS
- Organ or bone marrow transplant
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]