Pneumonia: update on diagnosis and management

doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7549.1077

BMJ 2006;332:1077-1079 (6 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7549.1077

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Pneumonia: update on diagnosis and management

Zara Hoare, clinical research fellow of the University of Nottingham¹, Wei Shen Lim, consultant in general and respiratory medicine¹

¹ Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham NG5 1PB

Correspondence to: Z Hoare Zara.Hoare@nottingham.ac.uk

Prompt diagnosis and management of community acquired pneumoniasaves lives. This article summarises the latest key recommendationsin the management of pneumonia and is intended for junior doctorsmanaging this common condition

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Community acquired pneumonia is an important healthcare concern.The annual incidence rate is 6/1000 in the 18-39 age group.This rises to 34/1000 in people aged 75 years and over. Admissionto hospital is needed in 20-40% of patients with community acquiredpneumonia. About 5-10% of these patients are admitted to intensivecare. The overall mortality from community acquired pneumoniais 5-10%, so it is important to identify and treat patientswith this disease.^{1 2} We will concentrate on three aspects ofhospital management: assessment of disease severity, investigations,and antibiotic treatment.

Pneumonia is defined as an acute lower respiratory tract infection,together with new radiographic shadowing.¹ Anybody can get pneumonia,although it is most common in elderly people. The clinical historyof pneumonia may include one or more of:

Pleuritic chest pain
Shortness of breath
Cough
Productionof sputum
Rigors or night sweats
Confusion.

On examination the signs may include:

. . . [Full text of this article]

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