Seminars in respiratory infections
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Resolution of pneumonia has to be considered as two different phases: resolution of the acute illness and resolution of radiographic opacities. Age, comorbidities, immunosuppression, and etiological agent(s) are all important in determining whether the acute illness resolves; there is a considerable mortality rate from pneumonia requiring hospitalization. ⋯ In 96% of patients whose pneumonia has not resolved in 30 days, an underlying disease is found; emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or bronchogenic carcinoma are the most common. Normal resolution of community-acquired pneumonia has to be defined in terms of the severity of the illness, comorbidity (ies), and infecting pathogen(s).