Pneumocystis pneumonia, a COVID-19 mimic, reminds us of the importance of HIV testing in COVID-19
Abstract
While clinical environments are highly focused on COVID-19, reports of missed or delayed treatment for conditions that imitate COVID-19, such as pneumonia caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii, are emerging. Given the uncertain spectrum of COVID-19 presentations and variable sensitivity of laboratory tests for SARS-CoV-2, there is a risk that, without a high index of suspicion, alternative aetiologies may be overlooked while pursuing a diagnosis of COVID-19. The British HIV Association has been calling for the inclusion of HIV testing in all patients admitted to hospital with suspected COVID-19. In this article we reflect on the importance of including HIV testing to prevent avoidable morbidity and mortality in our patients.
Citation
Kelly , S , Waters , L , Cevik , M , Collins , S , Lewis , J , Wu , M S , Blanchard , T J & Geretti , A M 2020 , ' Pneumocystis pneumonia, a COVID-19 mimic, reminds us of the importance of HIV testing in COVID-19 ' , Clinical Medicine , vol. 20 , no. 6 , pp. 590-592 . https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmed.2020-0565
Publication
Clinical Medicine
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1470-2118Type
Journal item
Collections
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