LIFE-THREATENING PNEUMONIA

Severe pneumonia can be acquired by previously healthy patients, those with pre-existing illness, or those hospitalized for an unrelated ill ness. Because diagnosis is frequently difficult or delayed, treatment is usually empirically tailored to the most probable offending organis ms and the patient's condition. This article reviews the pathogenesis of community and hospital-acquired pneumonia, clinical features, and d iagnostic techniques. An approach to selecting an antibiotic regimen i s suggested.