Developing and Diagnosing Community Acquired Pneumonia and Bronchitis
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).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the AAFP described CAP as "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. CAP is often characterized by an array of side effects, including the following, according to the AAFP:
- 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. However, because of this it makes it much harder to determine the epidemiology of the condition and to develop treatments for CAP alone as it is so frequently associated with other diseases. Individuals who feel they may suffer from CAP and influenza should likely contact a medical professional to learn more about treating the condition with medication and antibiotics, which can decrease the length of their condition as well as assist in avoiding a worsened condition.
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) issued a public health advisory as to the alleged Ketek risks that were being investigated by FDA officials. 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. Patients of Ketek who fear that they may suffer or already have suffered from liver-related conditions as caused by the consumption of Ketek, should speak to an experienced attorney. An expert such as a pharmaceutical attorney will be able to provide insightful details as to the development of a Ketek class action lawsuit.
