How to prevent PCP

May 2008     View PDF     En español

How do I prevent myself getting PCP?

The PCP fungus is very common, but it has been difficult for scientists to identify it in the environment. Since it is difficult to prevent yourself from being exposed to PCP, maintaining a healthy immune system, taking preventive medicine if you are at higher risk for PCP, and getting proper medical care are the best ways to prevent it.

The best way to prevent PCP is by using effective HIV therapy and maintaining your immune health. Keeping your CD4 count above 200 helps keep your immune system healthy. This, in turn, helps keep PCP from becoming a problem. If your immune system shows signs of being compromised, taking PCP preventive therapy is critical while you’re at risk. If you smoke, quitting smoking may help you prevent PCP, likely by improving the health of your lungs and thus your ability to fight lung infections. Smokers who haven’t smoked in a year or more do as well on PCP medicines as others who never smoked.

Common flu vaccinations will not prevent PCP. There is no vaccine for PCP.