What is Pneumonia and How
Do I Prevent it?
MARC McLEARY, MD
Clinton County Rural Health
What is Pneumonia?
 Inflammation of the lower air way (lungs).
 Can be caused by several different sources.



Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
 The source of the pneumonia play a major role in
treatment.



Community
Hospital
Aspiration
Community Acquired Pneumonia Facts
 It affects about 6 out of every 1000 people per
year.

1 out every 160 people
 It is #8 cause of death in the United States.
 If hospitalized with CAP, the mortality (death) rate
is up to 23%
What are some risk factors?
 Smoking Tobacco
 Age over 65
 COPD
 Previous pneumonia
 Severe esophageal reflux
 Influenza
 Lung Cancer
How is Pneumonia Diagnosed?
 Clinical Signs
 Cough
 Fever
 Pleuritic chest pain (hurts to take deep breath)
 Difficulty breathing
 Sputum Production
 X-ray
 Must see an infiltrate on X-ray
Infiltrate
Treatment of Pneumonia:
 First step is to determine if patient needs to be
admitted to hospital


CURB-65
PSI
 Antibiotic Therapy

Usually a single antibiotic for a minimum of 5 days (normally
longer)
 Resolution of symptoms

Symptoms should start to improve very quickly although the
cough and fatigue can persist for 2-4 weeks after treatment is
started
Prevention of Pneumonia:
 Good hand hygiene

Soap and water or alcohol based cleanser
 Stop smoking
 Flu shot
 Pneumonia vaccine
Pneumonia Vaccine:
 Who gets it?
 Everyone over age 65
 People less than 65 at higher risk for Pneumonia
Diabetes
 Heart Disease
 No spleen
 Smokers

 Do I need to get it again?
 If you received the shot before age 65, you need a one time
booster 5 years after the first shot.
 If you received the shot after age 65, you will not need
another
Summary:
 Pneumonia is a common disease that is
more common in people that smoke and
who are over 65.
 A single antibiotic for 5-7 days is the first
line treatment for most outpatient
pneumonias
 You can help to prevent pneumonia by
stopping smoking and getting the flu and
pneumonia vaccine