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Hub AI
Community-acquired pneumonia AI simulator
(@Community-acquired pneumonia_simulator)
Hub AI
Community-acquired pneumonia AI simulator
(@Community-acquired pneumonia_simulator)
Community-acquired pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) refers to pneumonia contracted by a person outside of the healthcare system. In contrast, hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is seen in patients who are in a hospital or who have recently been hospitalized in the last 48 hours. Those who live in long-term care facilities or who had pneumonia after 48 hours of hospitalization for another cause are also classified as having CAP (they were previously designated as having HCAP (healthcare associated pneumonia)). CAP is common, affecting people of all ages, and its symptoms occur as a result of oxygen-absorbing areas of the lung (alveoli) becoming colonized by a pathogenic microorganism (such as bacteria, viruses or fungi). The resulting inflammation and tissue damage causes fluid to fill the alveoli, inhibiting lung function and causing the symptoms of the disease. Common symptoms of CAP include dyspnea, fever, chest pains and cough.
10% of those with CAP are hospitalized. The 30 day mortality for those hospitalized with CAP is 2.8% for adults younger than 60 and 26.8% for adults older than 60 with other medical conditions.
CAP, the most common type of pneumonia, is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide[citation needed]. Its causes include bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. CAP is diagnosed by assessing symptoms, performing a physical examination, by x-ray or by sputum examination. Some form of chest imaging, usually in the form of a chest x-ray, showing characteristic findings is required for the diagnosis. Most cases can be treated on an outpatient basis, but some patients with CAP require hospitalization. CAP is treated primarily with antibiotics, antivirals or antifungals depending on the confirmed or suspected microorganism pathogen. Some forms of CAP can be prevented by vaccination and by abstaining from tobacco products. Vaccination against influenza, Covid, respiratory syncytial virus and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can all prevent CAP.
Major complications of CAP include:
Many different microorganisms can cause CAP. However, the most common cause is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Certain groups of people are more susceptible to CAP-causing pathogens - infants, adults with chronic conditions (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and senior citizens. Alcoholics and others with compromised immune systems are more likely to develop CAP from Haemophilus influenzae or Pneumocystis jirovecii. A definitive cause is identified in only half the cases.[citation needed]
It is possible for a fetus to develop a lung infection before birth by aspirating infected amniotic fluid or through a blood-borne infection which crossed the placenta. Infants can also inhale contaminated fluid from the vagina at birth. The most prevalent pathogen causing CAP in newborns is Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as group-B streptococcus (GBS). GBS causes more than half of CAP in the first week after birth. Other bacterial causes of neonatal CAP include Listeria monocytogenes and a variety of mycobacteria. CAP-causing viruses may also be transferred from mother to child; herpes simplex virus, the most common, is life-threatening, and adenoviridae, mumps and enterovirus can also cause pneumonia. Another cause of neonatal CAP is Chlamydia trachomatis, which, though acquired at birth, does not cause pneumonia until two to four weeks later. It usually presents with no fever and a characteristic, staccato cough.
CAP in older infants reflects increased exposure to microorganisms, with common bacterial causes including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus. Maternally-derived syphilis is also a cause of CAP in infants. Viral causes include human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus, adenovirus, human parainfluenza viruses, influenza and rhinovirus, and RSV is a common source of illness and hospitalization in infants. CAP caused by fungi or parasites is not usually seen in otherwise-healthy infants.
Although children older than one month tend to be at risk for the same microorganisms as adults, children under five years of age are much less likely to have pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae or Legionella pneumophila than older children. In contrast, older children and teenagers are more likely to acquire Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae than adults.
Community-acquired pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) refers to pneumonia contracted by a person outside of the healthcare system. In contrast, hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is seen in patients who are in a hospital or who have recently been hospitalized in the last 48 hours. Those who live in long-term care facilities or who had pneumonia after 48 hours of hospitalization for another cause are also classified as having CAP (they were previously designated as having HCAP (healthcare associated pneumonia)). CAP is common, affecting people of all ages, and its symptoms occur as a result of oxygen-absorbing areas of the lung (alveoli) becoming colonized by a pathogenic microorganism (such as bacteria, viruses or fungi). The resulting inflammation and tissue damage causes fluid to fill the alveoli, inhibiting lung function and causing the symptoms of the disease. Common symptoms of CAP include dyspnea, fever, chest pains and cough.
10% of those with CAP are hospitalized. The 30 day mortality for those hospitalized with CAP is 2.8% for adults younger than 60 and 26.8% for adults older than 60 with other medical conditions.
CAP, the most common type of pneumonia, is a leading cause of illness and death worldwide[citation needed]. Its causes include bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. CAP is diagnosed by assessing symptoms, performing a physical examination, by x-ray or by sputum examination. Some form of chest imaging, usually in the form of a chest x-ray, showing characteristic findings is required for the diagnosis. Most cases can be treated on an outpatient basis, but some patients with CAP require hospitalization. CAP is treated primarily with antibiotics, antivirals or antifungals depending on the confirmed or suspected microorganism pathogen. Some forms of CAP can be prevented by vaccination and by abstaining from tobacco products. Vaccination against influenza, Covid, respiratory syncytial virus and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can all prevent CAP.
Major complications of CAP include:
Many different microorganisms can cause CAP. However, the most common cause is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Certain groups of people are more susceptible to CAP-causing pathogens - infants, adults with chronic conditions (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and senior citizens. Alcoholics and others with compromised immune systems are more likely to develop CAP from Haemophilus influenzae or Pneumocystis jirovecii. A definitive cause is identified in only half the cases.[citation needed]
It is possible for a fetus to develop a lung infection before birth by aspirating infected amniotic fluid or through a blood-borne infection which crossed the placenta. Infants can also inhale contaminated fluid from the vagina at birth. The most prevalent pathogen causing CAP in newborns is Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as group-B streptococcus (GBS). GBS causes more than half of CAP in the first week after birth. Other bacterial causes of neonatal CAP include Listeria monocytogenes and a variety of mycobacteria. CAP-causing viruses may also be transferred from mother to child; herpes simplex virus, the most common, is life-threatening, and adenoviridae, mumps and enterovirus can also cause pneumonia. Another cause of neonatal CAP is Chlamydia trachomatis, which, though acquired at birth, does not cause pneumonia until two to four weeks later. It usually presents with no fever and a characteristic, staccato cough.
CAP in older infants reflects increased exposure to microorganisms, with common bacterial causes including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus. Maternally-derived syphilis is also a cause of CAP in infants. Viral causes include human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus, adenovirus, human parainfluenza viruses, influenza and rhinovirus, and RSV is a common source of illness and hospitalization in infants. CAP caused by fungi or parasites is not usually seen in otherwise-healthy infants.
Although children older than one month tend to be at risk for the same microorganisms as adults, children under five years of age are much less likely to have pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae or Legionella pneumophila than older children. In contrast, older children and teenagers are more likely to acquire Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae than adults.