Pneumonia and other infectious diseases

This chapter describes the epidemiology of CAP and influenza in Europe. CAP is still a substantial cause of hospitalisations and death across Europe. Hospitalisation rates differ widely across Europe. Aetiological studies across the continent consistently report Streptococcus pneumoniae as the leading pathogen, irrespective of the site of patient management. Costs associated with pneumonia are largely associated with hospitalisation, with diagnostics and antibiotic treatment covering a marginal quota of expenses. In addition to direct mortality, patients with pneumonia are more prone to long-term mortality compared with matched populations. Seasonal epidemics of influenza typically spread through Europe during the winter months carrying a considerable socioeconomic burden. Influenza pandemics occur at 10–40-year intervals. The last pandemic, caused by an H1N1 virus, was of moderate intensity and was associated with excess deaths primarily among children, often without underlying diseases. Data on influenza vaccination coverage in Europe indicate that, on average, coverage levels are below those set by World Health Organization and European Union standards.