AIDS AND THE LUNG

Respiratory symptoms are frequent in HIV-infected persons, and the cha llenge facing clinicians is to determine the cause of these symptoms. Respiratory symptoms may be due to an opportunistic infection such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) or bacterial pneumonia or to an e xacerbation of a chronic pulmonary condition. This article reviews the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of the two most freque nt pulmonary opportunistic infections, PCP and bacterial pneumonia, an d the current data on the obstructive lung diseases and HIV infection.