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Health Conditions
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Community Acquired Pneumonia
What causes it?
Your body has many mechanisms in place to fight off infection. If fact, you are frequently exposed to organisms that can cause pneumonia, but your body normally protects against them through its various defense mechanisms. Occasionally however, these invaders can pass your defense mechanisms and make their way to your lungs and airways causing pneumonia.
CAP is spread by close person-to-person contact, usually when an infected person coughs or sneezes on another person.
CAP can be caused by several different organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The most common organism responsible for CAP is the bacterium known as Streptococcus pneumoniae, however there are many other 'bugs' that can have the same effect. Many times, a doctor will try to get a sputum sample from your cough to help determine the exact 'bug' that is causing the infection; however, this is often unsuccessful and an the exact cause of the infection may go unidentified.
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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.
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What causes it?
