The causative agents in aspiration pneumonia have shifted from anaerobic to aerobic bacteria. Challenges remain in distinguishing aspiration pneumonia from chemical pneumonitis. Treatment and preve... Aspiration pneumonia occurs when you inhale food, drink, vomit or saliva into your lungs. Aspiration is more likely if something disturbs your normal gag reflex, such as a brain injury or swallowing problem, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs. Learn about aspiration pneumonia, a complication of inhaling food, stomach acid, or saliva into your lungs. Find out the risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention tips for this serious condition. Aspiration pneumonia is diagnosed based on clinical signs or symptoms of pneumonia in a person with a history of, or risk factors for, aspiration. Chest x-ray will show a new infiltrate; infection usually involves the dependent lung lobe. Sputum culture and Gram stain are usually inconclusive but may identify the infecting organism. Complications of disease include lung abscess and empyema. Aspiration pneumonia predominantly occurs in older adults. As such, the recommendations in this topic ...
