Other options for acute treatment include intravenous pentamidine or the combination of clindamycin plus primaquine. Corticosteroids are frequently given with antibiotic therapy for PCP to prevent worsening lung function and decreased oxygenation. Because PCP causes problems with gas exchange within the lung, oxygen is often required to maintain normal oxygen levels. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia can be life threatening and death may occur due to respiratory failure.
Early treatment reduces the death rate.
People with AIDS may have repeated infections. For these people pneumocystis pneumonia may be a terminal event. Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you belong to a high-risk group and have developed a fever , cough , or any type of breathing difficulty . The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. It is provided for your general information and is not a substitute for medical care or supervised medical treatment.