Community-acquired bronchitis and pneumonia

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Most cases of bronchitis and many of pneumonia can be treated without hospitalization. However, in some patients, such as those having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or receiving long-term antibiotic treatment, conventional therapy is less effective. The author discusses typical as well as unusual causative organisms for bronchitis and pneumonia and methods to identify these organisms. He also suggests specific antibiotics and doses and offers criteria for deciding which patients should be hospitalized.