National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Pneumocystis Infections is the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Pneumocystis jirovec is a tiny fungus that lives in the lungs of many people. Most people's immune systems keep the fungus under control. But if your immune system is weak, the fungus can make you very sick.
The most common problem of infection is pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). PCP once was the major cause of death for people with HIV/AIDS. But now, it is possible to prevent or treat most cases. The key to surviving PCP is early treatment. The first signs of PCP are difficulty breathing, fever and a dry cough. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor right away.
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)