Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is defined as an acute infection of the lung parenchyma acquired in the community and is distinct from other ‘chest infections’ such as acute bronchitis and exacerbation of chronic obstructive airways disease. It is the fifth leading cause of death in the UK and hence requires prompt diagnosis, appropriate active treatment, triage and reassessment. This article will discuss the diagnosis, management and follow-up of CAP in primary care incorporating recommendations from the British Thoracic Society. It will also discuss management in children.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ArcaviL., BenowitzN. L.Cigarette smoking and infection. Archives of Internal Medicine (2004) 164: p. 2206–16. Accessed via archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/164/20/2206 [date last accessed 25.08.2009]
2.
BjerreL.M., VerheijT.J.M., KochenM.M.Antibiotics for community acquired pneumonia in adult outpatients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2004) Issue 2. Art. No.: CD002109. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002109.pub2. Accessed via www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab002109.html [date last accessed 25.08.2009]
3.
British Thoracic Society Standards of Care Committee. BTS Guidelines for the Management of Community Acquired Pneumonia in Adults. Thorax (2001) 56 (supp IV) p. iv1–iv64
British Thoracic Society of Standards of Care Committee. BTS Guidelines for the Management of Community Acquired Pneumonia in Childhood. Thorax (2002) 57 (supp 1) p. i1–i24
KabraS.K., LodhaR., PandeyR.M.Antibiotics for community acquired pneumonia in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2006) Issue 3: Art. No.: CD004874. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004874.pub2. Accessed via www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab004874.html [date last accessed 25.08.2009]
8.
LimW.S., BaudouinS.V., GeorgeR.C.British Thoracic Society guidelines for the management of community acquired pneumonia in adults: update 2009. Thorax (2009) 64: (suppl III): p. iii1–iii55
9.
LimW.S., van der EerdenM.M., LaingR.Defining community acquired pneumonia severity on presentation to hospital: an international derivation and validation study. Thorax (2003) 58: p. 377–82
10.
MacfarlaneJ., HolmesW., GardP.Prospective study of the incidence, aetiology and outcome of adult lower respiratory tract illness in the community. Thorax (2001) 56: p. 109–14
11.
MoriceA.H., McGarveyL., PavordI.Recommendations for the management of cough in adults. Thorax (2006) 61: (suppl 1): p. i1–24
NICEClinical Guideline 47. Feverish illness in children. Assessment and initial management in children younger than 5 years (2007) Developed by the National Collaborating Centre for Women's and Children's Health. Accessed via www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG47NICEGuideline.pdf [date last accessed 25.08.2009]
15.
NICEClinical Guideline 69. Prescribing of antibiotics for self-limiting respiratory tract infections in adults and children in primary care (2008) Accessed via www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG69FullGuideline.pdf [date last accessed 25.08.2009]
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). Community management of lower respiratory tract infection in adults. Section 5: Community acquired pneumonia. Publication No 59 (2002) Accessed via www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/sign59.pdf [date last accessed 25.08.2009]
18.
WoodheadM.A., MacfarlaneJ.T., MccrackenJ.S., RoseD.H., FinchR.G.Prospective study of the Aetiology and Outcome of Pneumonia in the Community. The Lancet (1987) 329: p. 671–4
