Community acquired infections

As the name suggests, community acquired infections are infections which are acquired in the community, outside of healthcare facilities. They are commonly caused by viruses or bacteria and can affect both healthy individuals or individuals with suppressed immunity. 

Most community acquired infections are usually mild and are managed by general practitioners. Occasionally, the infections may not resolve, develop complications and certain individuals may need to be hospitalized for further investigation and therapy (e.g. receipt of intravenous antibiotics, drainage of abscesses). 

Usually fever is the most common symptom. Non-specific symptoms like lethargy, malaise, loss of appetite, and general sense of “feeling poorly” may also be present. Other symptoms may point to the site of infection. For example:

Signs and symptoms due bloodstream infections may be non-specific (e.g. fever, chills, malaise and myalgia; which can also occur with viral infections) or associated with signs and symptoms at another site (e.g. pain on urination, suggesting that the infection may be coming from the urinary tract). Bloodstream infections require urgent evaluation. If left untreated, they can progress rapidly to fulminant infections. 

Infections develop when microbes are transferred from other persons / environment to you. They enter through our body surfaces (e.g. skin or mucosal surfaces) or they can be inhaled or ingested. We can catch infections through the activities we take part in and also acquire them when we travel. The best ways to prevent infections is to block them from entering the body and to strengthen our immunity. 

Many serious infections can be prevented with immunization. Contact your health care provider regarding your immunization status, and the routine / travel-related vaccinations which you may require. 

The diagnoses of mild community acquired infections are often made clinically, based on history and physical examination.

If the infections do not resolve or are serious in nature, blood / body fluid tests or imaging may be performed to determine the severity of the infection as well as to pin point the exact cause.

Treatment is dependent on cause. 

In general, individuals with viral infections are symptomatically managed. Bacteria infections are treated with antibiotics, choice of which is guided by type of infection and type of bacteria causing the infection. If an abscess has developed, drainage of the abscess is often recommended.