Mária Tamášová
This article provides an insight into the current epidemiology of pneumonia, clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment
and analysis of the most common pathogens causing this disease. Pneumonia is an inflammatory airways disease
with high morbidity. Patients with pneumonia diagnosis account for over 30% of all general practitioner patients, which
increases during epidemic period. Pneumonia mortality is relatively high, being the third most frequent death cause.
Mortality rate increases with patients over 50 years of age. Young people with reduced immunity, smokers, COPD patients,
cancer patients, belong to risk groups too, therefore an early diagnosis and treatment are very important. Incidence
and symptoms are influenced by the changing microbe spectrum and precipitating factors. Despite different
causes, symptoms of these diseases are very similar.