Lung Diseases & Pulmonology

Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection

A person with an acute respiratory infection, which may include history of fever or measured fever (≥ 38 °C, 100.4 °F) and cough; AND suspicion of pulmonary parenchymal disease (e.g. pneumonia or ARDS), based on clinical or radiological evidence of consolidation and not already explained by any other infection or aetiology, including all clinically indicated tests for community-acquired pneumonia according to local management guidelines. It is not necessary to wait for test results for other pathogens before testing for novel coronavirus. Adolescent or adult patient with fever or suspected infection, cough, respiratory rate > 30 breaths/min, severe respiratory distress, oxygen saturation (SpO₂ ) < 90% on room air.