Types of Pneumonia
Pneumonia is named for the way in which a person
gets the infection or for the germ that causes it.
Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) occurs outside of
hospitals and other health care settings. Most people get CAP by breathing in
germs (especially while sleeping) that live in the mouth, nose, or throat.
CAP is the most common type of pneumonia. Most cases
occur during the winter. About 4 million people get this form of pneumonia each
year. About 1 out of every 5 people who has CAP needs to be
treated in a hospital.
Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia
Some people catch pneumonia during a hospital stay
for another illness. This is called hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP).
You’re at higher risk for getting HAP if you’re on a mechanical
ventilator (a machine that helps you breathe).
HAP tends to be more serious than CAP. This is
because you’re already sick. Also, hospitals tend to have more germs that
are resistant to antibiotics—a treatment for pneumonia.
Health Care-Associated Pneumonia
Patients also may get pneumonia in other health care
settings, such as nursing homes, dialysis centers, and outpatient clinics. This
is called health care-associated pneumonia.
Other Common Types of Pneumonia
Aspiration Pneumonia
This type of pneumonia occurs when you accidentally
inhale food, drink, vomit, or saliva from your mouth into your lungs. This
usually happens when something disturbs your normal gag reflex, such as a brain
injury, swallowing problem, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs.
Aspiration pneumonia can cause pus to form in a
cavity in the lung. This is called a lung abscess.
Atypical Pneumonia
Several types of bacteria—Legionella
pneumophila, mycoplasma pneumonia, and Chlamydophila
pneumoniae—cause this type of CAP. Atypical pneumonia is passed from
person to person.
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