Aspiration pneumonia

SUMMARY • Aspiration pneumonia is diagnosed upon confirmation of inflammatory findings in the lungs and overt aspiration (apparent aspiration) or a condition in which aspiration is strongly suspected (abnormal swallowing function and dysphagia). • In hospital‐acquired pneumonia, this occurs as one consequence of frequent silent aspiration. • In the diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia, evaluation of the risk of silent aspiration during the night and evaluation of swallowing function are important. • The causative microorganisms in aspiration pneumonia, similar to community‐acquired pneumonia, are basically thought to be bacteria residing in the oral cavity, such as pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae , Staphylococcus aureus and anaerobes. • Hospital‐acquired aspiration pneumonia often occurs with no distinction between apparent and silent aspiration, and in many cases, aspiration of foreign substances is serious when dysphagia itself is severe. • In the treatment of aspiration pneumonia, use of antimicrobials for the pneumonia itself and early measures to prevent aspiration are important.