VIRAL PNEUMONIAS - THE INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF A HIGH-INDEX OF SUSPICION

Viral pneumonias account for at least 17% of cases of community-acquir ed pneumonia in children and in adults. Although patients with viral p neumonia appear less ill clinically than those with bacterial pneumoni a, viral pneumonias can be fatal. Antiviral therapy is available for p neumonias caused by respiratory syncytial virus, influenza A virus, an d cytomegalovirus. Several vaccines are important tools for the preven tion of influenza A and B pneumonia.