Aspiration Pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia is pulmonary infection from inhalation of oropharyngeal/gastric contents, in patients with impaired consciousness/dysphagia/GERD, presenting with fever, cough, purulent sputum, and dependent-lobe infiltrates. Treatment: airway clearance; suctioning; antibiotics covering oral anaerobes/staph/strep (ampicillin-sulbactam/clindamycin); oxygen; treat dysphagia (swallow therapy/diet); elevate head of bed; treat GERD; dental care; assess need for feeding tube in recurrent aspiration.

Common Symptoms

Fever/cough/purulent sputum; dependent-lobe infiltrates; impaired consciousness/dysphagia

Causes and Pathogenesis

Aspiration of colonized oropharyngeal/gastric contents causes bacterial infection and chemical pneumonitis.

Treatment

Airway clearance; antibiotics covering anaerobes; treat dysphagia/GERD; head-of-bed elevation

Preventive Measures

Swallow assessment; oral care; head-of-bed elevation; treat GERD.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Pulmonology/Infectious-disease/GI department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.