Hospital-acquired pneumonia

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Hospital-acquired pneumonia

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), also known as nosocomial pneumonia, is a type of pneumonia that occurs in patients during or after hospitalization in a healthcare facility. Pronounced as /ˌhɒspɪˈtæl əˈkwaɪərd pnjuːˈmoʊniə/, the term is derived from the Latin words 'hospes' (guest) and 'nosocomium' (hospital), and the Greek word 'pneumon' (lung).

Definition

Hospital-acquired pneumonia is defined as pneumonia that presents more than 48 hours after admission, which was not incubating at the time of admission. It is distinguished from community-acquired pneumonia by the setting in which it is contracted.

Causes

Hospital-acquired pneumonia can be caused by various bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella species. These bacteria are often resistant to common antibiotics, making treatment more difficult.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hospital-acquired pneumonia can include fever, cough with or without sputum production, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are similar to those of other types of pneumonia.

Treatment

Treatment for hospital-acquired pneumonia typically involves antibiotics, which are chosen based on the suspected causative organism and its known resistances. In severe cases, hospitalization in an intensive care unit may be required.

Prevention

Prevention strategies for hospital-acquired pneumonia include hand hygiene, vaccination, and appropriate care of ventilated patients, among others.

Related Terms

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski