First-line treatment for community-acquired pneumonia

Community-acquired pneumonia begins outside a hospital and can be caused by different germs. A clinician considers breathing rate, oxygen level, temperature, chest findings, other illnesses, recent medicines and whether you can drink and take tablets. Mild illness may be managed at home with prescribed treatment, rest, fluids and careful monitoring. More severe illness may require hospital care, oxygen, medicines through a vein and tests to guide treatment. Antibiotics do not treat viral infections such as COVID-19 or influenza, although a bacterial infection can occur alongside a viral illness.

Arrange a same-day medical assessment if pneumonia is suspected, especially with a new cough, fever, chills, phlegm or breathlessness. Take prescribed medicine exactly as directed and do not use leftover antibiotics. Rest, drink fluids if safe for you, avoid smoking, and check how your breathing and alertness change. Do not stop a prescribed course because you feel better without discussing it with the prescriber.

Seek emergency help for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, new confusion, fainting, inability to keep fluids down, or rapidly worsening weakness. A high fever with shaking chills, very little urine or marked drowsiness can signal a serious infection such as sepsis. Prompt review is also needed if symptoms worsen after starting treatment or fail to improve as expected.

Ask which cause is most likely, how severe the infection appears, whether you need an oxygen check or chest imaging, which warning signs should prompt urgent help, and when your medicines should be reviewed.