There are treatment differences for aspiration pneumonia, an infection when there’s bacteria in the aspirated volume that goes into the airway, and aspiration pneumonitis, which is a chemical burn when acidic gastric contents are regurgitated and aspirated into the airway.
“The bottom line is that with aspiration pneumonia, antibiotics and supportive respiratory therapy are the mainstays of therapy and what’s recommended,” she said, whereas with pneumonitis, the patient usually does not require antibiotics, just supportive therapy. Choice of antibiotics depends on whether the patient’s aspiration pneumonia was acquired in a healthcare setting, which may mean they’re colonized with a bacteria that is more likely drug-resistant, versus a community or home setting.
Dr. Von became interested in dysphagia and aspiration complications after her residency training, when she began practicing and “discovered I didn’t know a lot about aspiration syndromes, how to treat them or evaluate dysphagia.” She also discovered she wasn’t alone.
Dr. Von reported no financial conflicts.