Question

A 48-year-old with nonsevere CAP is afebrile and stable after 5 days of therapy. He asks if a chest radiograph must be clear before stopping antibiotics. What do guidelines say?

Accepted Answer

Stop at 5 days if clinically stable for 48-72 hours; CXR clearance is not required

Answer

Antibiotics must continue until the chest radiograph clears

Answer

Treat at least 10 days regardless

Answer

Treat 7 days then repeat CT scan

Answer

Stop when WBC normalizes only

Practice question

A 48-year-old with nonsevere CAP is afebrile and stable after 5 days of therapy. He asks if a chest radiograph must be clear before stopping antibiotics. What do guidelines say?