subject: Community-acquired Pneumonia [print this page] Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is considered by practicing physicians to be one of the most common and deadly infectious diseases in the world. It is often acquired from inhalation or aspiration of bacterial pathogens, which is an agent or producer of disease. The most common pathogens that cause CAP include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and viruses. Approximately 5.5 million cases of CAP are reported annually in the United States.
Those with this disease experience an array of symptoms, some more severe than others. These include, but not limited to, fever, coughing and wheezing, chest pain, shallow and rapid breathing, chills, weakness and fatigue, dyspnea, diarrhea, joint and muscle pain and nausea and vomiting. Older people and infants may show different symptoms such as confusion.
In addition to the symptoms, certain risk factors exist that can increase a person's chance of being infected with CAP. For example, people with lung disease, such as emphysema, have a greater chance of getting CAP. Additionally, those who smoke are more susceptible of acquiring CAP than those who do not smoke. Another risk factor is obstruction. When part of a person's airway is obstructed, the lung is unable to clear accumulated fluid. The built-up fluid can then become infected, resulting in community acquired pneumonia. Finally, people with immune system problems, such as AIDS, are more at risk than those who do not have these conditions.
For the treatment of CAP and antibiotic is employed. The antibiotic is used to destroy the infected micro-organisms and treat any lingering complications of the disease. It is paramount that the patient continue to take the antibiotic, even if they see improvement in symptoms, until the last dosage. Failure to finish the medication can very well lead to reoccurrence and complications.While some patients are treated outside the hospital, some must undergo inpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment, which depends on a variety of factors such as age and the severity of the infection, is usually chosen if there is a possible risk of death. If a person has certain risk factors that were mentioned above then they will most likely be treated in a hospital.
Unfortunately this disease can cause death, especially in older patients. Furthermore, other factors that can increase the risk of death include hypertension, fever, anemia, hypoxia and increased respiratory rate.
So if you or someone you know has one or more of the symptoms mentioned in this article, you should seek medical assistance immediately. The sooner the patient can be examined by a practicing physician, the sooner treatment can begin. Additionally, early treatment decreases the risk of complications and death.
