CAP

Last Updated on January 6, 2025 by Analgesia team

CAP Medical Abbreviation

CAP is the medical abbreviation for community-acquired pneumonia, a lung infection that develops outside of a hospital. It can be caused by several bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can be very serious in older adults, young children, and people with other health problems.

Here are some other things to know about Community-acquired pneumonia:

When it’s diagnosed

Community-acquired pneumonia is diagnosed in 5–12% of adults who present to GPs with a lower respiratory tract infection.

Symptoms of Community-acquired pneumonia

When it’s treated

The British Thoracic Society has developed a CAP Care Bundle that describes actions to take within four hours of a patient being admitted to secondary care. These actions include administering oxygen, assessing a chest x-ray, and administering antibiotics.

When CAP is more common

Community-acquired pneumonia is more common during the winter months and in older adults, but it can affect people of any age.

When Community-acquired pneumonia is fatal

Mortality rates for Community-acquired pneumonia vary depending on where the patient is treated. In the UK, mortality is less than 1% for patients managed in the community, between 5.7 and 14% for patients admitted to hospital, and over 30% for patients admitted to an intensive care unit

Risk Factors of CAP