Fungal Pneumonia

Fungal pneumonia

This is an infection in the lungs. Fungal Pneumonia is caused by inhalation of fungi. Those at higher risk of developing fungal pneumonia can be found in areas with heavy populations of birds, rodents, and bats, among others animals. When the spores or seeds of endemic or opportunistic fungi are inhaled in can cause Fungal Pneumonia, especially to those who have weak immune system. Fungal Pneumonia can also be caused by an existing infection that travels through the bloodstream to the lungs. People who are healthier have the capacity to reverse the effect of Fungal Pneumonia. The best way to fight this disease is to maintain a healthy immune system.

Efficacy of Alternative and Other Treatments According to GRADE* Ranking:

Pokeweed Antiviral Protein (PAP) [3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]:

Please note, this management does NOT treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some of the symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Warning! All parts of the plant, Pokeweed (Phytolacca Americana), is poisonous and should not be ingested. Thoroughly cooking the plant reduces that toxicity. The effects of the improperly prepared plant include vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps, headache, confusion, convulstions, low blood pressure, heart block and death. Only plant extracts (PAP) or thoroughly prepared plants should be ingested, and even then, under professional medical guidance.

Recommendation: no recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that PAP helps to treat fungal infections)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

Pau D'Arco (Lapachol, Tabebuia Impetiginosa, Tabebuia Heptaphylla) [3, 4]:

Please note, this treatment has potentially serious side effects. Some of the chemicals in the plant are known to be toxic. High doses are known to cause liver and kidney. Even at low doses, chemicals in the plant may interfere with blood clotting, causing excess bleeding and anaemia. Pau D'Arco should be avoided, especially by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Recommendation: Strongly against (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Pau D'arco helps to treat fungal infections. This, combined with its potentially harmful side effects if taken without supervision from a doctor or pharmacist gives enough reason to avoid this treatment.)

Grade of Evidence: very low quality of evidence

* www.gradeworkinggroup.org

Summary Reference

Treatments:

1. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec05/ch052/ch052c.html?qt=fungal%20pneumonia&alt=sh

2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16908618?dopt=Abstract

3.  Ades T, Alteri R, Gansler T, Yeargin P, "Complete Guide to Complimentary & Alternative Cancer Therapies", American Cancer Society, Atlanta USA, 2009

4. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/pau-d-arco   

5. http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.info?p_psn=12&p_type=all&p_sci=sci&p_x=px

6. http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Phytolacca+americana

7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/315368

8. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002874.htm

9. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/pokeweed

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