8. Lower Respiratory Tract Infections MT2 Flashcards
this refers to an acute infection of the pulmonary parenchyma acquired outside of the hospital
community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
this refers to an acute infection of the pulmonary parenchyma acquired in the hospital settings and includes both hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
nosocomial pneumonia
this type of nosocomial pneumonia refers to pneumonia acquired >48 hours after hospital admission
HAP
this type of nosocomial pneumonia refers to pneumonia acquired > 48 hours after endotracheal intubation
VAP
this is caused by “atypical” bacteria pathogens including Legionella spp., M. pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci and Coxiella burnetii
atypical pneumonia
this results from entry of gastric or oropharyngeal fluid, which may contain bacteria and/or be of low pH, or exogenous substances (e.g. ingested food particles or liquids, mineral oil, salt or fresh water) into the lower airways
aspiration pneumonia
this is the aspiration of substances (e.g. acidic gastric fluid) that causes an inflammatory reaction in the lower airways, independent of bacterial infection
chemical pneumonitis
this is an active infection caused by inoculation of large amounts of bacteria into the lungs via orogastric contents
bacterial aspiration pneumonia
this is an infection of the pleural space, usually involving anaerobes, S. aureus and/or GNB
empyema
this is part of the lungs that transfers oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air and the blood
lung parenchyma
what are some common symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections
- fever or hypothermia
- rigours
- sweats
- new cough and/or sputum production, or change in sputum color in patients with COPD
- dyspnea, tachypnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia
- altered mental status (particularly in the elderly)
- nonspecific: fatigue, myalgias, abdominal pain, anorexia, headache
what are the risk factors for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
- > 65
- ineffective cough
- smoking
- thick mucus
- comorbities (e.g. COPD)
- lifestyle factors (crowded living conditions, living in low-income settings, environmental toxins)
- viral respiratory infections (e.g. influenza)
- impaired alveolar macrophage function (e.g immunocompromised)
what is the most common microbe identified in CAP
streptococcus pneumoniae
others: H. influenzae, S. aureus, Klebsiella, and other GNB
virus: influenza, RSV, adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, COVID-19
true or false: bacterial pneumonia can occur around the same time as a virus, or pop up later as worsening symptoms after initial improvement of the viral infection
true
when a chest Xray is performed, is lobar/alveolar consolidation more likely with bacterial or viral pneumonia
bacterial
what are some ways to prevent CAP
vaccination
- annual vaccination for seasonal influenza is indicated for all patients
- covid vaccination
- pneumococcal vaccine is indicated for anyone over 65 or with risk factors (certain comorbidities including heart, lung and liver disease, immunocompromised, impaired splenic function)
smoking cessation
how is CAP diagnosed
- mostly based on presentation and history of present illness for outpatients
- CXR infiltrates initially, but not to confirm resolution
- sputum culture should be ordered and interpreted cautiously
- blood culture for admitted pts
- PCR for viral
- bronchoscopy may be used if pt is in ICU
what technique is used to decide whether or not a patient should be admitted for CAP
CURB-65
- confusion
- urea
- respiratory rate
- blood pressure
- age