Our bodies are host to a range of viruses, fungi and bacteria. If a person has a healthy immune system most of these organisms are harmless. However when the immune is weak from disease or from receiving treatments such as chemo or dialysis these organisms can grow out of control and produce a type of pneumonia called “opportunistic pneumonia.” Some medical professionals say that opportunistic organisms like pneumonia are infectious agents that are waiting for the right time to develop and this time is when a person’s immune system is weakened.
Some of the risk factors for getting opportunistic pneumonia include: having AIDS, being a cancer patient, having had a bone marrow, organ or stem cell transplant and taking immunosuppressant medication.
This type of pneumonia can be bacterial, fungal or viral in nature. Treatment of opportunistic pneumonia depends on the nature of it. Bacterial types are treated with antibodies. Viral infections are treated bed rest and plenty of fluids. Fungal pneumonia responds well to antifungal medications. One of the difficulties in treating this type of pneumonia is that a person’s immune system is already stressed or impaired.
People who are at high risk for catching opportunistic pneumonia should always take precautions to lower their risk. Some of the best ways are to wash their hands regularly, eat right and avoid contact with persons who have any type of infectious disease. A person with suppressed immune systems should avoid smoking as this raises the risk for all respiratory infections including pneumonia.
If a person develops any symptoms of respiratory problems such as difficult breathing, dry cough or fever they should contact their physician immediately. The sooner this type of pneumonia is caught, the more successful treatment can be.
A person who is at risk for opportunistic pneumonia should get a pneumonia shot every five years or as often as suggested by their physician.
Fri, Jul 2, 2010
Health, aging