Community-acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an infection of the lungs that occurs in people who have not recently been in the hospital or another health care facility.

Pronunciation

Community-acquired pneumonia: /kəˈmjuːnɪti əˈkwaɪəd pnjuːˈmoʊniə/

Etymology

The term "community-acquired pneumonia" is derived from the fact that the infection is acquired outside of a healthcare setting, specifically within the community.

Definition

Community-acquired pneumonia is a type of pneumonia, an inflammatory condition of the lung affecting primarily the small air sacs known as alveoli. It is defined as pneumonia that is acquired outside the hospital setting.

Symptoms

Symptoms of community-acquired pneumonia can include cough, fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Causes

Community-acquired pneumonia can be caused by a wide variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The most common bacterial causes are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis.

Treatment

Treatment for community-acquired pneumonia typically involves antibiotics, along with rest and fluids. The specific antibiotic used will depend on the suspected cause of the pneumonia and the patient's overall health.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Community-acquired pneumonia
Wikipedia's article - Community-acquired pneumonia

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Community-acquired pneumonia