Pneumonia in immunocompromised host

Alternative names:

pneumonia in immunodeficient patient

Symptoms:

• Cough
  • nonproductive (dry cough) or with mucus-like, greenish, or pus-like sputum
• Chills with shaking
• Fever
• Easy fatigue
• Chest pain
  • 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)
• Muscular stiffness (rare)
• Glands, swollen
• Sweating, excessive or night sweats

Signs and tests:

Crackles or other abnormal breath sounds may be heard when listening to the chest with stethoscope (auscultation).

Tests include:

• Achest X-ray
• A sputum gram stain
• A CBC
• Arterial blood gases
• A bronchoscopy

Updated Date: 02/09/00

Updated By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director, Utah Health Informatics and adam.com editorial