MANAGEMENT OF INFECTIOUS PULMONARY PROCESSES IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. CAP can be caused by a variety of bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are the leading causes of bacterial pneumonia worldwide, while rhinoviruses, influenza viruses, and coronaviruses are the most common viral pathogens that cause pneumonia. Pneumonia caused by fungal pathogens is rare in immunocompetent individuals but poses a life-threatening risk to those with a compromised immune response.

The article emphasizes the importance of emergency medicine providers being able to identify and manage patients with pneumonia, including the recent increase in hospital admissions due to COVID-19-associated pneumonia. The diagnosis of pneumonia is based on clinical and radiological findings, along with microbiological confirmation of the causative pathogen. Viral pneumonia is often underdiagnosed, but molecular diagnostic tests are becoming more readily available to improve the detection of viral pathogens.

Guidelines for evaluating and treating CAP are established collaboratively by organizations such as the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and American Thoracic Society (ATS) and are regularly updated. These guidelines take into account demographic and seasonal factors, as well as individual patient risk factors, to provide appropriate treatment. The article provides evaluation and treatment recommendations for CAP, including antimicrobial therapy, supportive care, and follow-up management.

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