B20: Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease resulting in infectious and parasitic diseases

B20.6: HIV disease resulting in Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia

HIV disease resulting in Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, often known as PCP, represents a specific condition where an individual infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) develops a distinct type of pneumonia caused by a tiny fungal organism, Pneumocystis jirovecii. This pneumonia typically arises when the individual's immune system becomes severely weakened by the HIV infection, reducing the body's capability to fight off infections like PCP. The sufferer may experience symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty breathing, fatigue, rapid breathing, and chest discomfort. If left untreated, the pneumonia can interfere with oxygen exchange in the lungs, leading to potentially severe respiratory complications. The condition often represents a complex interaction between HIV-induced immune suppression and susceptibility to opportunistic infection, illustrating the intricate nature of the disease progression.