Hospital Acquired Pneumonia

Alternate Names : Nosocomial Pneumonia

Hospital-acquired pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is picked up while a person is in the hospital.

What is going on in the body?

Because hospitals are filled with sick people, they often contain dangerous bacteria and other organisms. Sometimes, those who are in the hospital for other reasons can catch pneumonia while there. This type of pneumonia can often make a person quite ill and can even cause death.

What are the causes and risks of the infection?

Hospital acquired pneumonia often occurs in persons who are already quite sick. These people are less able to fight off infections. Those who are on a ventilator, or artificial breathing machine, or in the intensive care unit are at a high risk for this type of pneumonia.