HIV/AIDS Glossary

A lung infection acquired in a community setting, outside a hospital, nursing home, or other healthcare center. Symptoms of CAP can range from mild to severe and frequently include shortness of breath, cough, fever, shaking chills, and chest pain. CAP can be caused by many types of organisms, including bacteria, virus, fungi, and parasites. Most often, CAP is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae or respiratory viruses. In people with weakened immune systems, such as people with HIV, CAP is commonly caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii. In people with HIV, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is an AIDS-defining condition.