Symptom Finder - Treatment of Pneumonia
PNEUMONIA
1. If possible get a smear, culture, and sensitivity of sputum before
beginning therapy.
2. Humidifier or nebulizer therapy.
3. Postural drainage qid.
4. Azithromycin (Zithromax): 500 mg stat and 250 mg daily × 4 days. Alternatively may use other macrolides: tetracycline
5. Another alternative is levofloxacin (Levaquin) 750 mg orally or IV daily for 5–14 days.
6. Hospitalized patients may be treated with cefotaxime 1 g IV q6– 8hrs or Levofloxacin (Levaquin) 750 mg IV once daily for 7–17 days.
7. When there is poor response, look for CHF, COPD, and immune compromised host and consult infectious disease specialist.
8. Children 4 months to 5 years of age may be treated with amoxicillin (Amoxil) 90 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses q8hrs or ceftriaxone 50 mg/kg/day IM for 5 days.
9. Children over 5 years of age may be given azithromycin 10 mg/kg/day or (a maximum of 500 mg) orally followed by 5 mg/kg/day for 4 days. Alternatively prescribe clarithromycin (Biaxin) 15 mg/kg/day in divided doses bid × 7–10 days.
10. Consult a pediatrician in persistent cases.
1. If possible get a smear, culture, and sensitivity of sputum before
beginning therapy.
2. Humidifier or nebulizer therapy.
3. Postural drainage qid.
4. Azithromycin (Zithromax): 500 mg stat and 250 mg daily × 4 days. Alternatively may use other macrolides: tetracycline
5. Another alternative is levofloxacin (Levaquin) 750 mg orally or IV daily for 5–14 days.
6. Hospitalized patients may be treated with cefotaxime 1 g IV q6– 8hrs or Levofloxacin (Levaquin) 750 mg IV once daily for 7–17 days.
7. When there is poor response, look for CHF, COPD, and immune compromised host and consult infectious disease specialist.
8. Children 4 months to 5 years of age may be treated with amoxicillin (Amoxil) 90 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses q8hrs or ceftriaxone 50 mg/kg/day IM for 5 days.
9. Children over 5 years of age may be given azithromycin 10 mg/kg/day or (a maximum of 500 mg) orally followed by 5 mg/kg/day for 4 days. Alternatively prescribe clarithromycin (Biaxin) 15 mg/kg/day in divided doses bid × 7–10 days.
10. Consult a pediatrician in persistent cases.