title: Life-threatening pneumonia.
abstract: Severe pneumonia can be acquired by previously healthy patients, those with pre-existing illness, or those hospitalized for an unrelated illness. Because diagnosis is frequently difficult or delayed, treatment is usually empirically tailored to the most probable offending organisms and the patient's condition. This article reviews the pathogenesis of community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia, clinical features, and diagnostic techniques. An approach to selecting an antibiotic regimen is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gleeson
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents