What causes pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia?
A type of fungus causes PCP, but no one knows why certain people get PCP while others do not. You may have the fungi in your body at birth, but it only makes the disease start when your immune system becomes weak. You may get the germs that cause PCP from other people, or from your surroundings. People with healthy immune systems may get PCP germs and have no symptoms or problems. Any of the following may increase your risk for having PCP: • Diseases: Conditions that weaken your immune system include cancer, HIV infection, and systemic lupus erythematosus. • Genetic: You may have been born with defects in your genes that weaken your immune system. Genes are little pieces of information that tell your body what to do or what to make. • Medicine: Certain medicines, such as immunosuppressant and steroid medicines. They may be used to treat inflammation (swelling), asthma, or kidney and joint diseases. You may also need them after an organ transplant. • Malnutrition: This happens when you
