Pneumonia

DESCRIPTION

• Acute infection of the lung parenchyma, usually caused by bacteria, especially Streptococcus pneumonia (pneumococcus)
• Management is guided by:
  • Age
  • Severity of the pneumonia
  • Co-morbidity
• Manifestations include:
  • Malaise
  • Fever, often with sudden onset and with rigors
  • Cough, which becomes productive of rusty brown or yellow-green sputum
  • Pleuritic type chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • In severe cases, shock and respiratory failure
• On examination there is:
  • Fever
  • Crackles or crepitations
  • Tachypnoea
  • Bronchial breath sounds
• A pleural rubbing sound, or signs of a pleural effusion may be present.
• Predisposing conditions include:
  • Very young or old age
  • Malnutrition
  • Other concomitant diseases
  • HIV infection
• Pneumococcal pneumonia often occurs in previously healthy adults
• Adults with mild to moderately severe pneumonia may be managed at PHC level, depending on the response to initial treatment (see: Severe Pneumonia)

See Pneumonia in children

See Pneumonia in adults

Click here to access the pdf.

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Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa, Primary Healthcare, 2020-4-Version 1.0_16 September 2024

Chapter 17: Respiratory Conditions_17.3. Respiratory Infections_17.3.4. Pneumonia