In Africa persistent cough lasting more than 1 month occurs in approximately one third of AIDS patients. Bacterial pneumonia (pneumococci, Haemophilus) and tuberculosis are prominent in cases of respiratory problems. Atypical mycobacterioses and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia are rather infrequent in Africa. Deep fungal infections (histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, blastomycosis) can likewise cause pulmonary lesions. Pneumocystosis usually develops subacutely, with dyspnoea (shortness of breath) and a dry cough. Recurrent bacterial pneumonia occurs frequently in AIDS patients and is a major cause of death. Vomiting blood (haemoptysis) and pleural effusions are principally caused by TB and Kaposi's sarcoma. Sinusitis is quite frequent in AIDS patients. Lymphoid interstitial pneumonitis occurs especially in children, but can also be found in HIV positive adults. It is characterised by diffuse interstitial infiltrates. The alveolar septa are infiltrated with lymphocytes, plasma cells and immunoblasts.

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