Complications

Parapneumonic pleuritis

• Fibrinous pleuritis: inflammation → increased vessel permeability → fibrin-rich exudate deposited on the serosal surface of the pleura → pleuritic chest pain and friction rub

• Analgesics can be used for the relief of symptoms.

Parapneumonic pleural effusion (common)

Pleural empyema

Lung abscess

ARDS

Respiratory failure

Sepsis

Mortality increases with age.

The mortality risk can be evaluated with the CURB-65 score. [42]

• Score 0: ∼ 1%

• Score 1–2: ∼ 10%

• Score 3: ∼ 14%

• Score 4: ∼ 40%

HAP is associated with a mortality rate of > 20%.

Pneumococcal vaccination [43]

Influenza vaccination [44]

Smoking cessation