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Sub-Category:

Pneumonia

Number of Conditions: 1

Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP)

Specialty: Pulmonology

Category: Infectious Diseases of the Respiratory System

Sub-category: Pneumonia

Symptoms:
fever; cough (productive or non-productive); chest pain; difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; fatigue; increased respiratory rate; sputum production (possibly purulent or bloody)

Root Cause:
A type of pneumonia acquired during hospitalization or after at least 48 hours of hospital admission, caused by pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination (e.g., lung auscultation for abnormal sounds). Chest X-ray or CT scan (to identify lung infiltrates). Blood cultures and sputum cultures (to isolate the causative microorganism). Bronchoscopy (if necessary, to obtain samples from the lungs directly). Complete blood count (CBC) and other inflammatory markers (e.g., C-reactive protein, procalcitonin).

Treatment:
Empiric antibiotic therapy (adjusted based on culture results and sensitivities). Ventilatory support if needed (e.g., oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation). Supportive care (hydration, nutrition). Possible drainage of pleural effusions if present.

Medications:
Antibiotics - Piperacillin-tazobactam, Meropenem , Vancomycin , Levofloxacin , and Cefepime (antibiotics used to treat resistant bacterial infections in hospital settings). Analgesics/Antipyretics - Acetaminophen or ibuprofen (used to manage fever and discomfort). Prevalence - HAP is one of the leading causes of death in hospitals. It occurs in approximately 0.5-1% of hospitalized patients. The incidence is higher in intensive care units (ICUs).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged hospital stay. Mechanical ventilation. Immunocompromised states (e.g., chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS). Previous antibiotic use (leading to resistance). Age (elderly patients are more vulnerable). Underlying chronic diseases (e.g., COPD, diabetes).

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Mortality rates can be high, especially in patients with severe comorbidities or those requiring mechanical ventilation. Early identification and targeted antibiotic therapy improve outcomes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory failure. Sepsis and septic shock. Pleural effusion and empyema (infection in the pleural space). Increased hospital stay and extended recovery time.