The Incidence and Etiology of Influenza-Associated Community Acquired Pneumonia in Hospitalized Persons Study

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Pneumonia and influenza combined is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States, and the leading cause of death due to infectious diseases. Trends in hospitalizations with ICD-9 discharge codes for pneumonia and influenza are increasing among elderly adults. However, the incidence of community-acquired pneumonia, an accurate rate of hospitalized influenza-associated pneumonia incorporating data from sensitive diagnostics, and the current relative contributions of different pathogens are not well defined. A better understanding of the epidemiology of community-acquired pneumonia could help guide vaccine and antimicrobial usage policies and has the potential to reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance.

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