What is PCP? Pnevmotsistnoy pneumonia (SSR or pneumonia) is most common in people with HIV. Without treatment, over 85% of people with HIV eventually develop PCP. This was the main cause of death for people with HIV. Although PCP is now almost completely prevented and treated, it still causes death in about 10% of cases. Now with a strong anti-retroviral therapy (ART see
) are available, PCP rates declined sharply. Unfortunately, PCP is still common in people infected with HIV for a long time before treatment. In fact, 30% to 40% of people with HIV develop PCP, if they wait to receive treatment, while the number of cells
about 50. The best way to reduce the SSR HIV testing to detect cases earlier. PCP is caused by fungus. It previously was called
pnevmotsistnoy, but scientists now call
pnevmotsistnoy. A healthy immune system can control the fungus. However, PCP causes illness in children and adults with weakened immune systems. Pneumonia is almost always affects the lungs, causing pneumonia. People with CD4 cells (see
) to 200 have the highest risk of developing PCP. People said to the 300, which is the second opportunistic infection are also at risk. Most people who get PCP become much weaker, losing weight, and is likely to get PCP again. The first signs of PCP are difficulty breathing, fever and dry cough. Anyone who has these symptoms should see a health care
immediately. Nevertheless, each with a number of CD4 lymphocytes below 300 should discuss PCP prevention with your doctor
, before they experience any symptoms. As PCP or treat? For years, antibiotics have been used to prevent PCP in cancer patients with weakened immune systems. In 1985, some research has shown that these drugs also prevent PCP in people with AIDS. Preparations for the treatment of PCP include TMP / SMX,,, and. TMP / SMX (Septra Bactria or see
) is the most effective anti-drug PCP. This combination of two antibiotics: trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Dapsone (qv) is similar to TMP / SMX. Dapsone, it seems almost as effective as TMP / SMX to doctor. Pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam, Pentacarinat)
(qv) is a drug that is inhaled in aerosol form to prevent PCP. Pentamidine is also used intravenously (IV) to treat active PCP. Atovakvon (Mepron) (qv) is a drug used in people with mild to moderate cases of PCP, which can not take TMP / SMX or pentamidine. On the basis of little research, if standard therapy buckskin? t work, patients can use Neutrexin (trimetrexate) in combination with Leykovoryn (folic acid).
Can PCP be prevented? The best way to prevent PCP is using strong ART. People who have less than 200 CD4 cells can prevent PCP, taking the same drugs used to treat PCP. Another way to reduce the risk of PCP does not smoke or quit smoking. HIV-positive smokers develop PCP two to three times faster than HIV-positive people who do not smoke. One study showed that ex-smokers who stopped at least one year developed PCP is faster than nonsmokers. Combination ART can make your CD4 cell count of cells to grow. If it goes over 200 and stays there for 3 months can be safely stop taking PCP medications. However, because PCP medications are inexpensive and have few side effects, some researchers think they should be continued until your CD4 count is 300 cells. Always consult with your doctor before you stop taking any of your prescribed medications. Which drug is better? Bactria or Septra (TMP / SMX) is the most effective drug against PCP. In addition, inexpensive, costing only about $ 10 per month. He is taken in pill form, not more than one pill a day. Reduction of one tablet per day to three pills a week reduces allergy problems Bactria and Septra, and seems to work just as well. However, «SMX» of drug serosoderzhaschye and almost half of people who make it an strattera prescription allergic reaction. Usually a skin rash and sometimes fever. Allergic reactions can be overcome by desensitization procedures. Patients start with a little preparation and take more until they can not tolerate the full dose. Dapsone causes less allergic reactions than TMP / SMX. In addition, relatively inexpensive - about $ 30 per month. In addition, taken in pill form and as Bactria or Septra, not more than one pill a day. Pentamidine includes a monthly visit to the clinic with a spray gun, a machine that produces a very fine mist of the drug. Fog is inhaled directly into the lungs. The procedure takes from 30 to 45 minutes. You pay for the drug plus the cost of the clinic,
between $ 120 and $ 250 per month. Patients using aerosol pentamidine get PCP more often than people who take antibiotic pills. PCP is now almost completely resistant to treatment and prevention. However, still common in people who do not know what they are HIV-positive. Strong antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) can keep the number of CD4 lymphocytes from falling. If the number of CD4 lymphocytes below 300, talk to your doctor about taking drugs to prevent PCP. Everyone whose CD4 lymphocyte count below 200 should receive anti-PCP drugs. .
