Strategies for prevention of community-acquired pneumonia.

Abstract

Our rapidly expanding knowledge of the cause and pathogenesis of Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) offers new opportunities to prevent this disease. Influenza vaccine is effective for the prevention of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, in the setting of influenza A and B infection. Pneumococcal vaccine is effective for preventing the most common form of bacterial CAP, but it is most effective when administered early in the course of chronic illnesses. Even with the widespread availability and proven efficacy of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, their use has remained suboptimal. Rimantadine and Amantadine have also been used successfully for prevention of influenza A infection. Further improvement in strategies for the prevention of CAP lies in the development of new and improved vaccines, enhanced environmental control, and general education of physicians and the public, so that new approaches such as hospital-based immunization can be applied.

• Authors: Arunabh, M S Niederman
• Journal: Seminars in respiratory infections (Semin Respir Infect) Vol. 13 Issue 1 Pg. 68-78 (Mar 1998) ISSN: 0882-0546 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9543477 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Influenza Vaccines
• Staphylococcal Vaccines
• Rimantadine
• Amantadine

Topics

• Amantadine (therapeutic use)
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Community-Acquired Infections (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Humans
• Influenza Vaccines (therapeutic use)
• Influenza, Human (prevention & control)
• Pneumonia (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Rimantadine (therapeutic use)
• Staphylococcal Vaccines (therapeutic use)