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Pneumonia: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals

Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Viral pneumonia usually resolves on its own with rest, fluids, and medication for symptoms. However, severe pneumonia with high fever and gastrointestinal issues requires medical treatment. Pneumonia is classified into community-acquired from outside exposure, hospital-acquired from a healthcare setting, immunocompromised related to underlying conditions, or aspiration from inhaling substances.

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77 views2 pages

Pneumonia: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals

Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Viral pneumonia usually resolves on its own with rest, fluids, and medication for symptoms. However, severe pneumonia with high fever and gastrointestinal issues requires medical treatment. Pneumonia is classified into community-acquired from outside exposure, hospital-acquired from a healthcare setting, immunocompromised related to underlying conditions, or aspiration from inhaling substances.

Uploaded by

Albean Delojero
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.

The air sacs may fill


with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and
difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can
cause pneumonia.
Viral pneumonia usually goes away on its own. Therefore, treatment focuses on easing some of
the symptoms. A person with viral pneumonia should get sufficient rest and stay hydrated by
drinking plenty of fluids. A doctor may prescribe cough-relieving medication to help ease
coughing.
Pneumonia can become severe if left untreated. People with severe pneumonia experience
higher fevers along with gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Sweating,
rapid heart rate, and a bluish tint to lips and nails are also signs of severe pneumonia.

 Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung parenchyma caused by various


microorganisms, including bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and viruses.
 Pneumonitis is a more general term that describes the inflammatory
process in the lung tissue that may predispose and place the patient at risk
for microbial invasion.

Classification

Pneumonia is classified into four: community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and


hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), pneumonia in the immunocompromised host,
and aspiration pneumonia.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia

 CAP occurs either in the community setting or within the first 48 hours after
hospitalization.
 The causative agents for CAP that needs hospitalization
include streptococcus pneumoniae, H.  influenza, Legionella,
and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
 Only in 50% of the cases does the specific etiologic agent become identified.
 Pneumonia is the most common cause of CAP in people younger than 60
years of age.
 Viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in infants and children.

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

 HAP is also called nosocomial pneumonia and is defined as the onset of


pneumonia symptoms more than 48 hours after admission in patients with
no evidence of infection at the time of admission.
 HAP is the most lethal nosocomial infection and the leading cause of death
in patients with such infections.
 Common microorganisms that are responsible for HAP include Enterobacter
species, Escherichia coli, influenza, Klebsiella species, Proteus, Serratia
marcescens, S. aureus, and S. pneumonia.
 The usual presentation of HAP is a new pulmonary infiltrate on chest x-
ray combined with evidence of infection.

Pneumonia in the Immunocompromised Host

 Pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts includes Pneumocystis


pneumonia, fungal pneumonias and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
 Patients who are immunocompromised commonly develop pneumonia
from organisms of low virulence.
 Pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts may be caused by the organisms
also observe in HAP and CAP.

Aspiration Pneumonia

 Aspiration pneumonia refers to the pulmonary consequences resulting


from entry of endogenous or exogenous substances into the lower airway.
 The most common form of aspiration pneumonia is a bacterial infection
from aspiration of bacteria that normally reside in the upper airways.
 Aspiration pneumonia may occur in the community or hospital setting.
 Common pathogens are S. pneumonia, H.influenza, and S. aureus.

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