Patient discussions
Advise patients to rest, to drink plenty of fluids, and not to smoke.[1]
Adequate hydration and preservation of the cough reflex during convalescence are important. The cough reflex is necessary to remove micro-organisms from the respiratory tract before it reaches the lung.
Explain that adherence to treatment is important in patients with CAP, even after they experience clinical improvement.
At discharge, offer patients access to information about CAP, such as a patient information leaflet.[1] For all patients with CAP who smoke, offer advice according to national smoking cessation guidelines. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence: stop smoking interventions and services external link opens in a new window
In the community, advise patients (and their carers) to seek medical advice if their symptoms worsen rapidly or significantly; symptoms do not start to improve within 3 days; or they become systemically very unwell.[64]
Around 10% of patients managed in the community do not respond to antibiotic therapy and require hospitalisation.[122]
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