Antibiotics are the first-line treatment for most cases of pneumonia. The choice of antibiotic, however, will depend upon the clinician weighing the risks and benefits of antibiotic therapy, the person’s medical history, and local epidemiological data (community outbreaks, microbe prevalence, etc.).[1] If testing (e.g., blood and sputum cultures, nasal swabs) indicates the causative pathogen is not a bacteria, an antiviral (to fight viruses) or an antifungal (to fight fungi) may be given.
Corticosteroids are not indicated for use in people with uncomplicated pneumonia; instead, they are reserved for people whose pneumonia is exacerbating preexisting reactive airway disease (e.g., COPD), or who are critically ill (e.g., septic shock) and not responding to usual treatments. Moderate to severe cases of pneumonia may also require supportive treatments, such as oxygen therapy, IV fluids, blood pressure medications, and airway/breathing support. [2] Aerosolized antibiotics are sometimes used in hospital settings for ventilator-associated pneumonia, but there is no robust evidence to support their efficacy. [3]