Pneumonia is a swelling of the tissue of your lungs, and can have many different causes. Pneumonia caused by bacterium can occur at any stage in HIV infection. Bacterial pneumonias are more common in HIV-positive women than in HIV-positive men. These pneumonias are caused most often by two bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of bacterial pneumonia are a sudden fever and a cough that produces sputum (stuff that comes up from your lungs).
Diagnosis
If you report symptoms that sound typical of bacterial pneumonia, your doctor will examine you by listening to your lungs through a stethoscope and taking your temperature. A sample of sputum is sent to the lab to be tested for bacteria. A sample of blood may also be taken and sent to the lab for a culture.
Prevention
Pneumovax (pneumococcal vaccine) and H. Influenzae Type B vaccine (Hib vaccine) are sometimes offered as protection against bacterial pneumonia. Vaccinations of any kind are controversial in HIV infection and you may want to discuss this with your doctor.
Treatment
Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic used depends on the type of bacteria that caused the pneumonia. Some of the drugs used are penicillin, erythromycin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin.
Penicillin and penicillin-like drugs can cause allergic reactions in some people. Let your doctor know if you’ve had a reaction to penicillin in the past. The most common side effects of these antibiotics are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and skin rash.