Community-acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a disease in which individuals who have not recently been hospitalized develop an infection of the lungs (pneumonia). CAP is a
common illness and can affect people of all ages. CAP often causes problems like difficulty in breathing, fever, chest pains, and a cough. CAP occurs because the areas of the
lung which absorb oxygen (alveoli) from the atmosphere become filled with fluid and cannot work effectively.

CAP occurs throughout the world and is a leading cause of illness and death. Causes of CAP include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. CAP can
be diagnosed bysymptoms and physical examination alone, though x-rays, examination of the sputum, and other tests are often used. Individuals with CAP sometimes
require treatment in ahospital. CAP is primarily treated with antibiotic medication. Some forms of CAP can be prevented by vaccination.[1]
• Patients at low risk can
usually be managed with
oral antibiotics at home,
while those at higher risk
should be further assessed,
and may need admission to
 hospital and intravenous
therapy.
• For S.
pneumoniae infection,
amoxycillin is the
recommended oral drug,
while benzylpenicillin is
recommended for
intravenous use; all patients
should also receive a
tetracycline (eg,
doxycycline) or macrolide
 (eg, roxithromycin) as part
of initial therapy.

• Flucloxacillin or dicloxacillin
should be added if
staphylococcal pneumonia
is suspected, and
gentamicin or other specific
therapy if gram-negative
pneumonia is suspected; a
third-generation
cephalosporin plus
 intravenous erythromycin is
recommended as initial
therapy for severe cases.
• Infections that require
special therapy should be
considered (eg,
tuberculosis,
melioidosis, Legionella,
Acinetobacter
baumanii andPneumocystis
carinii infection).
WHO response
In 2007, WHO and
UNICEF established the
Global Action Plan for the
Prevention and Control of
Pneumonia (GAPP). The
aim is to accelerate
pneumonia control in the
context of integrated
interventions for child
survival. WHO is also
working to promote:
•immunization
• case management
guidelines for
pneumonia
• exclusive breastfeeding
for six months
• reduction in indoor air
pollution
• preventive antibiotic
treatment in HIV
infected children
Diagnosis and
management of community
acquired pneumonia in
adults