Developing and Diagnosing Community Acquired Pneumonia and Bronchitis

Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley

Approximately 5.6 million cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) occur annually in the United States, costing nearly $8.4 billion dollars, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

According to both the AAFP and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CAP is "a lower respiratory tract infection in a non-hospitalized person that is associated with symptoms of acute infection."

CAP Side Effects

Community acquired pneumonia can often be a debilitating condition because of its jarring side effects as well as the array of multiple symptoms that are not easily treated. The AAFP listed characterizations often associate with CAP including:

* a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher

* cough, either with or without sputum

* pleuritic chest pain

* chest tightness

* night sweats

* myalgia

* wheezing

* gastrointestinal symptoms

* bronchial breath sounds

* dullness to percussion

* atypical symptoms in older patients

* headache

* dyspnea

It is common, according to the CDC, for CAP to be accompanied with other conditions as well, such as influenza. Unfortunately, because of the commonplace of the two conditions occurring simultaneously, it becomes more difficult to decipher the epidemiology of CAP alone.

By discussing and successfully treating CAP and influenza with an experienced medical professional, an individual avoids a worsened condition that could severely harm them and spread to others.

Prescription Antibiotic Dangers

There have been several antibiotics that are used to treat upper respiratory infections, which have also been linked to unintended side effects among patients that have caused more harm than good. For example, Ketek (telithromycin), from Sanofi-Aventis, is a prescription antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections located in the respiratory, upper respiratory system. The drug was approved for market use in April 2004 and has since been prescribed more than five million times for treatment of upper respiratory infections.

In 2006, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a public health advisory regarding the FDA investigation of the alleged Ketek side effects and dangers. The side effects included liver failure and liver damage, which had allegedly affected 100 Ketek patients already with an additional 18 who had died as a result of the Ketek dangers.

Those who have suffered or are at risk for suffering from Ketek should consider receiving a consultation from an experienced Ketek law firm. Developing a Ketek class action lawsuit will likely require the expertise of a knowledgeable pharmaceutical lawyer.


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