Opportunistic Infections

Key points about 'opportunistic' infections and your child with cancer

• if your child has a weakened immune system, they are at risk of developing infections caused by common germs that are usually harmless
• one of the infections your child is at risk of developing is pneumocystis pneumonia
• doctors can give your child medicine to reduce the risk of them developing pneumocystis pneumonia

How do 'opportunistic' infections develop in children with a weakened immune system?

People who have a weakened immune system (infection-fighting system) are at risk of developing infections caused by common germs that are usually harmless. These infections are known as 'opportunistic'. This is because organisms that do not usually cause disease in healthy people use the opportunity created by lowered immunity to become infective.

Pneumocystis pneumonia

One opportunistic organism is a type of fungus called pneumocystis. This fungus can cause an infection called pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP).

How can doctors help prevent my child from developing pneumocystis pneumonia?

Doctors can reduce the risk of your child with a weakened immune system developing pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). They do this by giving your child medicine that helps prevent this infection from developing. This medicine will either be Cotrimoxazole or Pentamidine. 

Cotrimoxazole

Cotrimoxazole (also known as Bactrim) is an oral medicine that your child will take twice a day for 2 days a week, usually on a Saturday and Sunday.

Pentamidine

Pentamidine is an intravenous medicine that your child will have monthly, usually through a central line.

Read more about infections during cancer treatment

Read more about childhood cancer