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Pneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which
there is an infection of the lung
o Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP)- pneumonia in people who
have not been in a hospital setting or in a hospital
o Hospital Acquired Pneumonia (HAP)- infection of the lungs that
occurs during a hospital stay
• at least 48-72 hours after being admitted
• Can be very severe because patients in hospital are often very sick and
cannot fight germs
• Types of germs in hospital are often more dangerous
• Often seen on those on respirator machine
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Can be caused by Bacteria, Viruses, or Fungi
o If caused by bacteria, it tends to be more severe
o Most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus
pneumoniae
• Normal inhabitant of the human upper respiratory tract
• Gram +
• Lancet shaped cocci
o Most common viral causes (especially in infants and young children)
are influenza and parainfluenza viruses
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Certain people are more likely to become ill with pneumonia
o This includes adults 65 years of age or older and children younger
than 5 years of age
o People up through 64 years of age who have underlying medical
conditions (like diabetes or HIV/AIDS) and people 19 through 64
who smoke cigarettes or have asthma are also at increased risk for
getting pneumonia
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In 2009, 1.1 million people in the United States were
hospitalized with pneumonia and more than 50,000 people
died from the disease.
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Bacteria and viruses living in your nose, sinuses, or mouth
may spread to your lungs
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You may breathe some of these germs directly into your
lungs
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You can catch the bacteria or viruses from people who are
infected with them, whether they are sick or not
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You breathe in (inhale) food, liquids, vomit, or fluids from
the mouth into your lungs (aspiration pneumonia)
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The most common symptoms of pneumonia are:
o Cough (with some pneumonias you may cough up greenish or yellow
mucus, or even bloody mucous)
o Fever, which may be mild or high
o Shaking chills
o Shortness of breath(may only occur when you climb stairs)
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The health care provider will likely order a chest x-ray if
pneumonia is suspected
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Your doctor must first decide whether you need to be in the
hospital. If you are treated in the hospital, you will receive:
o Fluids and antibiotics in your veins
o Oxygen therapy
o Breathing treatments (possibly)
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It is very important that you are started on antibiotics very
soon after you are admitted (unless you have viral
pneumonia)
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With treatment, most patients will improve within 2 weeks.
Elderly or very sick patients may need longer treatment.
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Vaccines may help prevent some types of pneumonia
o They are even more important for the elderly and people with
diabetes, asthma, emphysema, HIV, cancer, or other long-term
condition
• Flu vaccine prevents pneumonia and other problems caused by the
influenza virus. It must be given each year to protect against new virus
strains
• Pneumococcal Vaccine (Pneumovax, Prevnar) lowers your chances of
getting pneumonia from Streptococcus pneumoniae
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Washing hands often