Respiratory infections and acute respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract

Respiratory infections and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are closely related. Pneumonia is the most common cause of ARDS, and patients with ARDS usually develop infectious respiratory complications. Sixty percent of the cases of ARDS are due to pneumonia, but only some patients with pneumonia will develop ARDS. Viral pneumonia is a common cause of ARDS, especially in seasonal outbreaks or pandemics. Patients admitted with ARDS could present a secondary infection, and ventilator-associated pneumonia may impair prognosis. Several conditions that predispose patients with ARDS to respiratory infections are present. Decisions regarding antimicrobial treatment should be based on epidemiology, risk factors and current recommendations. Corticosteroids may be used as adjunctive therapy in both pathologies in selective patients.