Pneumonia in immunocompromised host

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Lungs

Pneumococci organism

Respiratory system

The lungs

Pneumonia in an immunocompromised host describes a lung infection that occurs in a person whose ability to fight infection is greatly impaired.

Pneumonia in immunodeficient patient

People who are immunocompromised have a defective immune response. Because of this, they are susceptible to infections by germs (microorganisms) that are everywhere, but do not cause disease in healthy people. They are also more vulnerable to the usual causes of pneumonia, which can affect anyone.

Immunosuppression can be caused by HIV infection , leukemia, organ transplantation, bone marrow transplant, and medications to treat cancer .

Review Date: 11/07/2005
Reviewed By: Cyrus Badshah, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University; Assistant Attending Physician, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & Medical Director, Chest (TB) Clinic and Directly Observed Therapy Program, Harlem Hospital Center. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.