How to prevent PCP

May 2008     View PDF     En español

PCP has long been the most common severe illness among people living with HIV in the US. Though it is very preventable, it remains a leading cause of death among people with AIDS. PCP stands for Pneumocystis (NEW-moe-SISS-tiss) pneumonia. It is caused by a yeast-like fungus called P. jiroveci. People with healthy immune systems normally do not get PCP.

The main place that pneumocystis infection develops is in the lungs, where inflammation occurs and fluid builds up. This fluid buildup causes the pneumonia. Though it’s rare, other parts of the body can be affected, such as the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, bone marrow and skin. While it can be fatal, PCP can be prevented with regular therapy and several effective treatments are available for those who get the disease. PCP is an AIDS-defining illness, which means if you’re HIV-positive and also have PCP then you will be diagnosed as living with AIDS.

This publication discusses ways to prevent PCP. For more information on how to diagnose and treat PCP, read Project Inform’s publication, How to Treat PCP.