Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Primary Care

Abstract

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common serious illness in childhood. It occurs in previously healthy children who acquired the infection outside of the hospital. The etiology and treatment for CAP in children and adults differ greatly. In diagnosing CAP in pediatrics, the practitioner must know the most likely age-specific causes of pneumonia. Understanding the likely etiology will assist in the treatment and management of this illness. Diagnosis is often based on the patient’s history, physical exam, age, immune status, and judicious use of chest radiographs and laboratory tests. This case study highlights one of the many presentations of CAP in pediatric primary care. It reviews diagnosis, treatment, management, and complications of this illness based on the current era of vaccinations.