What is the role of respiratory viruses in community-acquired pneumonia?: What is the best therapy for influenza and other viral causes of community-acquired pneumonia?

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2013 Mar;27(1):157-75. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2012.11.007. Epub 2012 Dec 12.

Abstract

Respiratory viruses have long been appreciated as a cause of community acquired pneumonia (CAP), particularly among children, people with serious medical comorbidities, and military recruits. They are increasingly recognized as a cause of CAP among adults. Polymerase chain reaction-based testing has allowed detection of newer agents and improved the ability to detect such viral infections as influenza virus and rhinovirus. Coinfection with viruses and bacteria is common and it remains challenging to determine which patients have only viral infection as the cause of CAP. Better ways to diagnose viral CAP and to integrate detection into management, and better treatment options for noninfluenza respiratory viral infections are needed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Bacterial Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Coinfection
  • Community-Acquired Infections / drug therapy
  • Community-Acquired Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Influenza, Human / drug therapy*
  • Neuraminidase / therapeutic use*
  • Pneumococcal Infections / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Bacterial Vaccines
  • Neuraminidase