Severe community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia (CAP) - a potentially fatal illness.
Two cases of severe community-acquired pneumococcal pneumonia (CAP) admitted to our hospital within 24 h are described, both in young males. These two cases illustrate the usefulness of the British Thoracic Society severity criteria and serve to emphasize the importance of early recognition of adverse physiology in critically ill patients. We should not lose sight of the continued impact of pneumonia in this climate of widespread fear about severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Kelly
Martin Gerard
MG
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ward 3, Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Glenshane Road, Derry, Co. Londonderry BT47 6AB, Northern Ireland, UK.
Sharkey
Rose A
RA
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ward 3, Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Glenshane Road, Derry, Co. Londonderry BT47 6AB, Northern Ireland, UK.
Moles
Kenneth W
KW
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ward 3, Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Glenshane Road, Derry, Co. Londonderry BT47 6AB, Northern Ireland, UK.
Daly
J Gerard
JG
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ward 3, Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Glenshane Road, Derry, Co. Londonderry BT47 6AB, Northern Ireland, UK.
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014139:Tracheostomy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents