Viral and atypical pneumonias

Acute respiratory infections are the most common illnesses in the pediatric age group. Although pneumonia accounts for only 10% to 15% of all respiratory infections, it causes significant morbidity and mortality among children. Even in the age of multigenerational antibiotics and ever-emerging antiviral agents the recognition, differentiation and treatment of pneumonia in the pediatric age group continues to be a challenge. The focus of this article is limited to viral and atypical pneumonias. Viral or Mycoplasma pneumonine infection has been detected in 17% to 31% of outpatient pneumonias studied.