Pneumonia overview
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Editor(s)-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.D. [2]
Overview
Pneumonia is an illness of the lungs and respiratory system in which the alveoli (microscopic air-filled sacs of the lung responsible for absorbing oxygen from the atmosphere) become inflamed and flooded with fluid. Pneumonia can result from a variety of causes, including infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and chemical or physical injury to the lungs. Typical symptoms associated with pneumonia include cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty in breathing. Diagnostic tools include x-rays and an examination of the sputum. Treatment depends on the cause of pneumonia; bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Pneumonia is a common illness which occurs in all age groups, and is a leading cause of death among the elderly and people who are chronically and terminally ill. Vaccines to prevent certain types of pneumonia are available. The prognosis depends on the type of pneumonia, the appropriate treatment, any complications, and the person's underlying health.
American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) definitions of Hospital acquired pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and health care associated pneumonia[1] (DO NOT EDIT)
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Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)HAP is defined as pneumonia that occurs 48 hours or more after admission, which was not incubating at the time of admission Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)VAP refers to pneumonia that arises more than 48–72 hours after endotracheal intubation. Some patients may require intubation after developing severe HAP and should be managed similar to patients with VAP. Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP)HCAP includes any patient who was hospitalized in an acute care hospital for two or more days within 90 days of the infection; resided in a nursing home or long-term care facility; received recent intravenous antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy, or wound care within the past 30 days of the current infection; or attended a hospital or hemodialysis clinic. |
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Viral pneumonia
Viral pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung caused by a virus. Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children. Viral pneumonia is commonly caused by viruses such as the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, and metapneumovirus. Herpes simplex virus is a rare cause of pneumonia except in newborns. People with immune system problems are also at risk of pneumonia caused bycytomegalovirus (CMV).
Aspiration pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia (or aspiration pneumonitis) is caused by aspirating foreign objects which are usually oral or gastric contents. This can occur either while eating or after reflux or vomiting which results in bronchopneumonia.[2] The resulting lung inflammation is not an infection but can contribute to one, since the material aspirated may contain anaerobic bacteria or other unusual causes of pneumonia. Aspiration is a leading cause of death among hospital and nursing home patients, since they often cannot adequately protect their airways and may have otherwise impaired defenses.
Parasitic pneumonia
A variety of parasites can affect the lungs. It is a rare cause of pneumonia, occurring almost exclusively in immunocompromised persons, such as persons suffering from AIDS. This is a respiratory infection that may or may not be serious. There are a variety of parasites which can affect the lungs. In general, these parasites enter the body through the skin or by being swallowed. Once inside the body, these parasites travel to the lungs, most often through the blood. There, a similar combination of cellular destruction and immune responses cause a disruption of oxygen transportation. One type of white blood cell, the eosinophil, responds vigorously to parasite infection. Eosinophils in the lungs can lead to eosinophilic pneumonia, thus complicating the underlying parasitic pneumonia. The most common parasites involved are toxoplasma gondii, strongyloides stercoralis, ascariasis, and hookworm.
Eosinophilic pneumonia
Eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is a disease in which a certain type of white blood cell called an eosinophil accumulates in the lung. These cells cause disruption of the normal air spaces (alveoli) where oxygen is extracted from the atmosphere. Several different kinds of eosinophilic pneumonia exist and can occur in any age group. The most common symptoms include cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and sweating at night. EP is diagnosed by a combination of characteristic symptoms, findings on a physical examination by a health provider, and the results of blood tests and x-rays. Prognosis is excellent once EP is recognized and treatment with corticosteroids is begun.
References
- ↑ "Guidelines for the management of adults with hospital-acquired, ventilator-associated, and healthcare-associated pneumonia". American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 171 (4): 388–416. 2005. doi:10.1164/rccm.200405-644ST. PMID 15699079. Retrieved 2012-09-12. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary. "KMLE Medical Dictionary Definition of aspiration pneumonia".