neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (nac): diagnóstico y tratamiento indicado para pacientes adultos mayores

Abstract

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that affects the lung parenchyma that occurs in non-hospitalized patients. This disease is considered an important health problem since it is the third cause of death worldwide whose incidence increases in consideration with the age of the patient. The NAC is of multiple etiology with Streptococcus Pneumoniae being the main causative agent of this disease in the elderly population. The anamnesis, the physical, radiological and microbiological examination are the dimensions that allow us to make a precise diagnosis although in many cases the etiological agent is not detected, which leads to the initial treatment being empirical. For the assessment of severity of the patients, the most commonly used scales are the PSI and CURB-65, which are an important instrument for the clinician to make pertinent decisions for the confirmatory diagnosis and decide for outpatient treatment or within the hospital center. The basis for the treatment of NAC are antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, Clarithromycin) but it is fundamental to consider the presence or absence of comorbidities especially in the elderly population. Although the advances in the treatment of NAC really are very relevant, the vaccines against Streptococcus Pneumoniae and the influenza virus are the best weapon to fight against this disease.