Community-acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia
Other namesCAP
SpecialtyInfectious diseases, pulmonology Edit this on Wikidata

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) refers to pneumonia (any of several lung diseases) contracted by a person outside of the healthcare system. In contrast, hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is seen in patients who have recently visited a hospital or who live in long-term care facilities. CAP is common, affecting people of all ages, and its symptoms occur as a result of oxygen-absorbing areas of the lung (alveoli) filling with fluid. This inhibits lung function, causing dyspnea, fever, chest pains and cough.

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.[1] CAP is diagnosed by assessing symptoms, performing a physical examination, by x-ray or by sputum examination. Patients with CAP sometimes require hospitalization, and it is treated primarily with antibiotics, antipyretics and cough medicine.[2] Some forms of CAP can be prevented by vaccination[3] and by abstaining from tobacco products.[4]

  1. ^ "Pneumonia Causes – Mayo Clinic". www.mayoclinic.org. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  2. ^ "Pneumonia Treatments and drugs – Mayo Clinic". www.mayoclinic.org. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  3. ^ José RJ, Brown JS (2017). "Adult pneumococcal vaccination". Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 23 (3): 225–230. doi:10.1097/MCP.0000000000000369. PMID 28198725. S2CID 4700975.
  4. ^ "Pneumonia Prevention – Mayo Clinic". www.mayoclinic.org. Retrieved 2015-05-18.