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Pneumonia in immunocompromised host

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Pneumonia in immunocompromised host

Definition:

Pneumonia in an immunocompromised host describes a lung infection that occurs in a person whose ability to fight infection is greatly impaired.

Alternative Names:
Pneumonia in immunodeficient patient

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Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

People who are immunocompromised have a defective immune response. Because of this, they are susceptible to infections by germs (microorganisms) that are everywhere, but do not cause disease in healthy people. They are also more vulnerable to the usual causes of pneumonia, which can affect anyone.

Immunosuppression can be caused by HIV infection, leukemia, organ transplantation, bone marrow transplant, and medications to treat cancer.

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