title: [Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and infection].
abstract: Patients with COPD are exposed to many infections of the lower respiratory tract. The evolution of their disease is characterized by an increasing number of episodes of exacerbation associated with a worsening dyspnea and an increase of the sputum volume and purulence. Fifty to 80% of these episodes are due to bacterial or viral agents which have an impact on the frequency of exacerbations, and on the pulmonary functions. In addition to smoking cessation, preventive measures to consider according to the clinical situation include vaccinations against influenza and invasive pneumococcal infections, and the use of corticosteroids combined with bronchodilatators. Beta-lactams constitute the antibiotics of choice for the treatment of exacerbations due to infections.
authors.affiliation: Département de médecine interne, Centre hospitalier du Valais central 14, rue Saint-Charles, 3960 Sierre. thomas.taramarcaz@rsv-gnw.ch
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taramarcaz
authors.forename: J-C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Métrailler
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control