PCP is the most common serious infection
among persons with HIV.
It can
be fatal.
PCP can be prevented and treated.
TMP-SMX, also known as Bactrim,
Septra, or Cotrim*, is the best medicine
for preventing and treating PCP.
You should take all medicines as prescribed by your doctor.
What is PCP?
Pneumocystis carinii (NEW-mo-SIS-tis CA-RIN-
nee-eye) pneumonia, or PCP, is a severe illness
found in people with HIV. It is caused by a germ
called Pneumocystis carinii. Most people infected
with this germ don’t get pneumonia because
their immune systems are normal. People whose
immune systems are badly damaged by HIV can
get PCP. People with HIV are less likely to get
PCP today than in earlier years. However, PCP is
still the most common serious infection among
people with AIDS in the United States.
How do I know if I have PCP?
If you have PCP, you probably will have fever,
cough, or trouble breathing.
People with PCP may die if
the infection is not treated
quickly. See your doctor
immediately if you have
these symptoms. PCP can
be diagnosed only by laboratory tests of fluid or tissue
from the lungs.
How do you catch PCP?
Most scientists believe PCP is spread in the air,
but they don’t know if it lives in the soil or some-
place else. The PCP germ is very common.
Since it is difficult to prevent exposure to PCP,
you should get medical care to prevent PCP.
How can I protect myself
from PCP?
PCP can be prevented.
The best drug for prevent-
ing PCP is trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole (try-
METH-o-prim - sul-fa-
meth-OX-uh-sole), or
TMP-SMX. TMP-SMX is
a combination of two
medicines. It has many
different brand names,
such as Bactrim, Septra,
and Cotrim*. Adults and
older children can take
TMP-SMX as a tablet. You can also get TMP-
SMX as a liquid.
I was vaccinated for
pneumonia.
Won’t that protect
me against PCP ?
No. The pneumonia vaccine protects you
against another kind of pneumonia, but not
against PCP. There is no vaccine for PCP.
When should I start treatment
to prevent PCP?
You should have your blood tested regularly to
check the strength of your immune system. Your
doctor should prescribe TMP-SMX to prevent
PCP if your CD4 cell count falls below 200. Your
doctor may also put you on TMP-SMX if you
show certain symptoms, such as having a tem-
perature above 100°F that lasts for 2 weeks or
longer, or if you get a fungal infection in the
mouth or throat (commonly called “thrush”).
Having thrush is believed to raise your risk for
getting PCP.
What are the side effects of
TMP-SMX?
TMP-SMX can make some people have a rash
or feel sick. If the drug reaction is not severe,
TMP-SMX should be continued because it works
so much better than any other medicine to
prevent PCP.
Are there other medicines to
prevent PCP?
Yes. Check with your doctor about the possibility
of other treatments. Take all of your medicines
as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t change how
many pills you are taking without speaking with
your doctor.
Can I get PCP more than
once?
Yes. If you have already had PCP you can get it
again. TMP-SMX can prevent second infections
with PCP. Therefore, you should take TMP-SMX
even after you have had PCP to prevent getting
it again.
Can children get PCP ?
Yes. Children with HIV or AIDS can also get PCP.
To learn more about children and PCP, call the
AIDS Treatment Information Service at 1-800-
448-0440.
Is PCP sexually transmitted ?
No. PCP is not sexually transmitted.
|
For more information about
living with HIV or AIDS, call:
Free referrals and information:
CDC National AIDS Hotline |
|
English |
(800) 342-AIDS (2437)
[24 hours/day] |
Spanish
TTY |
(800) 344-SIDA (7432)
[8 am-2am EST]
(800) 243-7889
(deaf and hard of hearing)
[Monday-Friday 10am-10pm EST] |
Free materials:
CDC National Prevention
Information Network (operators of the National AIDS Clearinghouse)
(800) 458-5231
1-301-562-1098 (International)
P.O. Box 6003
Rockville, MD 20849-6003
|
Free HIV/AIDS treatment information:
AIDSinfo
(800) 448-0440
Project Inform
(800) 822-7422
Drugs undergoing clinical trials:
AIDSinfo
(800) 448-0440
Social Security benefits:
Social Security Administration
(800) 772-1213
(You also may request a personal earnings and
benefit estimate statement to help you estimate
the retirement, disability, and survivor benefits
payable on your Social Security record.)
To obtain information on the Child Health Insurance Program, please call:
1-877 KIDS NOW (1-877-543-7669)
CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention Internet
address: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv
Other brochures in this series include:
*Use of trade names does not imply endorsement by the
United States Department of Health and Human Services. |
|
|
Updated in: March 1999
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention
Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention
Contact Us
National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention
