Pneumocystosis
Pneumocystosis (pronounced: new-mo-sis-toe-sis) is a form of pneumonia caused by the yeast-like fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii. This condition is most commonly seen in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, those undergoing chemotherapy, or organ transplant recipients.
Etymology
The term "Pneumocystosis" is derived from the Greek words "pneumon" (lung) and "kystis" (bladder), referring to the cystic nature of the fungus that causes the disease.
Symptoms
Symptoms of pneumocystosis may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and weight loss. In severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of pneumocystosis typically involves a chest X-ray or CT scan to identify any abnormalities in the lungs. A bronchoscopy may also be performed to obtain a sample of lung tissue for testing.
Treatment
Treatment for pneumocystosis usually involves a course of antibiotics, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, to kill the fungus. In severe cases, additional treatments such as corticosteroids may be needed to reduce inflammation in the lungs.
Prevention
Prevention of pneumocystosis is primarily focused on maintaining a strong immune system, which can be achieved through a healthy lifestyle and regular medical check-ups. In some cases, prophylactic antibiotics may be prescribed to individuals at high risk of developing the condition.
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pneumocystosis
- Wikipedia's article - Pneumocystosis
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski