Treatment

• Acute aspiration: airway management and respiratory support

• Aspiration pneumonitis: typically requires supportive care only

• Aspiration pneumonia: antibiotic therapy following standard pneumonia treatment regimens

• All patients: supportive care for pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia requires antibiotic therapy while aspiration pneumonitis typically self-resolves within 24–48 hours with supportive care alone.

• Acute respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

• Abscess

• Treatment of underlying causes to reduce the risk of aspiration

• Aspiration precautions for patients with risk factors for aspiration

  • Regular oral care

  • Elevation of the head of the bed