Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Abstract

Pneumonia refers to acute inflammation of the lower respiratory tract and lung parenchyma. Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) refers to pneumonia acquired outside of hospitals or long-term care facilities in patients without known inherited or acquired immunodeficiency or active cancer or within 48 hours after hospital admission. Chest radiographic demonstration of airspace disease helps support the diagnosis in the appropriate clinical setting. Patients with CAP are treated with antibiotics regardless of chest radiography findings. Further evaluation with Computed tomography (CT), bronchoscopy, pleural fluid analysis, etc., are reserved for patients that do not respond to treatment or in whom complications are suspected. CT is useful in assessing complications such as empyema, bronchopleural fistula, abscess, and necrotizing pneumonia. Lung abscesses and empyema are frequently associated with aspiration pneumonia.