Aspiration pneumonia

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Pneumococci organism

Aspiration pneumonia

Alternative Names:

Anaerobic pneumonia; Aspiration of vomitus; Necrotizing pneumonia
Treatment:

Hospitalization may be required for management of the illness. Treatment measures vary depending on the severity of the pneumonia. Antibiotics, which treat the organisms in the environment, may be given. Patients may receive special antibiotics to treat organisms that may live in the mouth.

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The types of organisms present depend on the health of the patient and where they live (private residence, chronic nursing facility, for instance).

Patients may need to have their swallowing function assessed. If there is difficulty with proper swallowing, other methods of feeding the patient may be necessary.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome depends on the severity of the pneumonia, the type of organism, the extent of lung involvement. If acute respiratory failure develops, the patient may have a prolonged illness or die.

Complications:

Spread of infection to the blood stream (bacteremia)
Spread of infection to other areas of the body
Low blood pressure
Shock
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Pneumonia with lung abscess

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider, go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if shortness of breath, wheezing, chills, fever, or chest pain occur.