THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF ATYPICAL OR VIRUS PNEUMONIA

Abstract

A review of the problems of diagnosis and management of primary atypical pneumonia, emphasizing the variation in the clinical-syndrome and the variety of known pathogenic agents that may produce a similar clinical picture. The efficacy of any therapeutic agent is difficult to determine because of the variability of the clinical course and the difficulty of establishing a firm diagnosis by the laborious methods of exclusion. The failure of an agent to alter the course of illness and to prevent spread of infection in a few patients is probably more indicative of the true worth of the agent than is apparent success in a larger number of cases. The present status of therapy with convalescent sera, gamma-globulin, sulfonamides, penicillin, streptomycin and aureomycin is presented. Further critical trials and, if possible, controlled studies, must be carried out before aureomycin or any other agent is accepted as a specific remedy.