All HIV-infected patients should consider immunization with the pneumococcal and H. influenzae B vaccines as prophylaxis. Before AIDS, PCP was uncommon. The symptoms of PCP typically are gradual. Pentamidine, dapsone, and trimethoprim-sulfamethozazole are the most commonly used agents. Adverse reactions from the medications used to treat the infection include respiratory failure.
Early treatment reduces the death rate.
It's most striking feature is its lack of a cell wall. Patients with AIDS are especially vulnerable due to their suppressed immune systems. Signs and symptoms usually begin with a nonproductive cough, sore throat and earache. Small amounts of whitish or non-bloody sputum are produced. Constitutional symptoms of fever, headache, malaise and myalgias are pronounced.