A new article published in Stat Pearls [Internet] defined viral pneumonia as a disease entity where in there is viral causation of oxygen and carbon dioxide gas exchange abnormalities at the level of the alveoli, secondary to viral-mediated and/or immune response-mediated inflammation. Traditionally, viral pneumonia is a disease found predominantly in the very young, the elderly and those exposed to influenza. Keys to the diagnosis are history, physical exam, chest radiography and available lab work – which, until recently, lacked sensitivity and specificity. Exclusion of bacterial pneumonia is also an important step.

This article reported that there exists a growing population at increased risk of viral pneumonia, owing to:

• The increases in life span and early infant survivability have led to an additional population at greater risk of viral pneumonia.
• Increased number of those receiving immune-impairing therapy (radiation and/or chemotherapy) for cancer.
• The increased use of disease-modifying hematological/immunological agents in chronic illness, resulting in secondary impaired immunity.
• The advent of HIV.
• Increase in the number of patients with inborn immune impairment serving bacterial infection secondary to antibiotic therapy.
• And the increased incidence of organ transplantation and immunosuppressive therapy.

Source: StatPearls [Internet].Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan.