Question

In community acquired pneumonia which of the following is true?

1. The lower respiratory tract is affected.
2. A common bacterial cause is streptococcus.
3. Cough may or may not be productive.
4. Normal defense mechanisms are overwhelmed.
5. All the above.

Answer 1

In Community acquired pneumonia (CAP), option (e) all the above is correct.

(a) It is the acute lower respiratory tract infection in the community or within 48 hours of hospitalisation.

(b) Most common is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Others are Atypical bacteria (causing atypical pneumonia): Mycoplasma pneumoniae, legionella, Chlamydophila pneumoniae. Also Haemophilus influenza and Influenza A.

(c) Here cough may or may not be productive.

Non productive cough occurs in atypical ( walking) pneumonia. Symptoms other than cough occur are fever, dyspnea, malaise, fatigue, hemoptysis, discoloured sputum, headache, pleurisy, rashes and diarrhoea.

(d) Due to bacterial infections, normal defense mechanisms are overwhelmed.