Viral Pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Raj D Shah; Richard G Wunderink

doi:10.1016/j.ccm.2016.11.013

Viral Pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Clin Chest Med. 2017 Mar;38(1):113-125. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2016.11.013. Epub 2016 Dec 13.

Authors

Raj D Shah¹, Richard G Wunderink²

Affiliations

¹ Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North St. Clair Street, Arkes 14-045, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
² Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North St. Clair Street, Arkes 14-045, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Electronic address: r-wunderink@northwestern.edu.

Abstract

Respiratory viruses are a common cause of severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in adults. The advent of new diagnostic technologies, particularly multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, have increased the recognition of viral respiratory infections in critically ill adults. Supportive care for adults with ARDS caused by respiratory viruses is similar to the care of patients with ARDS from other causes. Although antiviral therapy is available for some respiratory viral infections, further research is needed to determine which groups of patients would benefit.

Keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Community-acquired pneumonia; Respiratory virus.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Male
Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis*
Pneumonia, Viral / pathology
Respiratory Distress Syndrome / diagnosis*
Respiratory Distress Syndrome / pathology
Respiratory Distress Syndrome / therapy