Highlights of clinical practice guideline for the management of community-acquired pneumonia: 2019 update by the american thoracic society and infectious diseases society of America

Abstract

Pneumonia is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The American Thoracic Society and The Infectious Diseases Society of America recently published updated guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. Initial antibiotic therapy should cover for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and other gram-negative bacilli. Patients who have risk factors for the development of antibiotic resistant pathogens, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa should have appropriate empiric coverage for these pathogens. The recommended duration of treatment of community-acquired pneumonia is a minimum of 5 days in conjunction with clinical improvement, which has remained consistent from previous guidelines.