George Sakoulas, MD, discusses how COVID-19 has disrupted traditional respiratory virus patterns with summer surges now preceding the typical winter influenza season, while declining vaccine uptake among younger populations threatens to leave vulnerable groups increasingly exposed to seasonal illness complications.
George Sakoulas, MD, discusses how antimicrobial selection for patients with pneumonia depends on illness severity, seasonal pathogen patterns, comorbidities, and prior antibiotic exposure, with particular attention to high-risk populations requiring tailored therapy.
George Sakoulas, MD, discusses how ceftaroline serves as an effective stewardship-aligned option for community-acquired pneumonia involving gram-positive organisms, particularly in older and high-risk patients, while noting its limitations in gram-negative and health care–associated infections.
George Sakoulas, MD, discusses how updated guidelines recommend shorter antibiotic courses (5 to 7 days) for patients with pneumonia, emphasizing that early aggressive treatment within the first 72 hours is crucial for reducing hospital stays and improving patient outcomes.
George Sakoulas, MD, discusses how transitioning pneumonia patients from IV to oral therapy after 3 to 4 days of clinical stability supports effective 7-day treatment courses, while patients who are immunocompromised and those with Pseudomonas infections require individualized, extended management.
