Community-acquired pneumonia overview
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Community-Acquired Pneumonia Microchapters |
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Differentiating Community-acquired pneumonia from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Community-acquired pneumonia overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Community-acquired pneumonia overview |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Community-acquired pneumonia |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Community-acquired pneumonia overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Community-acquired pneumonia is a disease in which individuals who have not recently been hospitalized develop an infection of the lungs. CAP is a common illness and can affect people of all ages. It often causes problems like breathing difficulties, fever, chest pains, and a cough. CAP occurs when alveoli become filled with fluid and cannot work effectively. It 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 by symptoms and physical examination alone, though x-rays, examination of the sputum, and other tests are often used. CAP is primarily treated with antibiotic medication. Some forms of CAP can be prevented by vaccination.