Aspiration Pneumonia
- Caused by anaerobes e.g. Peptostreptococcus, Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, Prevotella
- Risk factors include an altered level of consciousness which is often due to:
- seizures, brain injury, dementia
- generalized anesthesia or sedation
- drug or alcohol intoxication
- elderly
- Aspiration most often occurs on the right side because the right main stem bronchus is larger and more vertical than the left
- Symptoms can include cough, fever, dyspnea on exertion
- Aspiration pneumonia often leads to lung abscesses
