AbstractCommunity-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. To reduce the high morbidity and mortality of CAP, appropriate diagnosis, risk stratification and therapy are necessary. This review summarizes the current recommendations for the management of CAP in Germany. CAP is often a medical emergency. The management of a CAP is based on the individual patient risk. The DS-CRB-65 Score and ATS/IDSA major and minor criteria are well suited for risk stratification. The initially calculated antibiotic therapy is based on the expected spectrum of pathogens and should be adjusted as necessary. Antibiotic therapy is usually administered intravenously in inpatients. With oral therapy, the bioavailability of the antibiotic should be considered. A reevaluation in the first 48–72 hours is mandatory. A therapy duration of 5–7 days is usually sufficient. Preventive influenza and pneumococcal vaccination and nicotine withdrawal are important.
Weight of the IDSA/ATS minor criteria for severe community-acquired pneumonia
