Investigation of patients with HIV who may have developed lung involvement

The following treatment is normally given for pneumocystis pneumonia: • oxygen in high enough concentration to treat hypoxia; • high dose intravenous cotrimoxazole; • methylprednisolone (steroids) intravenously; • prophylaxis against recurrent pneumocystis should begin with either co-

trimoxazole or Fansidar. Otherwise, there will be a recurrence rate of around 25%;

• antiviral treatment against the HIV virus (a retrovirus) with three retroviral drugs is required once the initial pneumonic illness has been treated.