Pneumonia in immunocompromised host

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Lungs

Pneumococci organism

Respiratory system

The lungs

Pneumonia in immunodeficient patient

• Nonproductive (dry) cough or cough with mucus-like, greenish, or pus-like sputum
• Chills with shaking
• Fever
• Easy fatigue
• Chest pain that is:
  • Sharp or stabbing
  • Increased by deep breathing
  • Increased by coughing
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling (malaise)
• Shortness of breath

  Additional symptoms that may occur:

  • Joint stiffness (rare)
  • Muscle stiffness (rare)
  • Swollen glands
  • Excessive sweating or night sweats

Crackles or other abnormal breath sounds may be heard when listening to the chest with stethoscope (auscultation). Lack of breath sounds can be an important sign.

Tests include:

• Chest x-ray
• Sputum gram stain , other special stains, and culture
• CBC
• Arterial blood gases
• Bronchoscopy
• Chest CT scan, in certain cases
• Lung biopsy, in certain cases

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.