10/01/2026
1️⃣ Pneumonia requires early, structured evaluation.
Symptoms such as fever, productive cough, pleuritic chest pain, or acute breathlessness warrant prompt clinical assessment and imaging to reduce morbidity and mortality.
2️⃣ Management should be evidence-based, not empirical alone.
Radiological assessment and microbiological investigations are essential to enable pathogen-directed therapy and avoid inappropriate or prolonged antibiotic use.
3️⃣ Failure to resolve is a red flag sign
Persistent radiological infiltrates, ongoing symptoms, or lung collapse despite appropriate therapy necessitate systematic re-evaluation, rather than escalation of empirical antibiotics.
4️⃣ Bronchoscopy has a definitive diagnostic role
It is particularly indicated in non-resolving pneumonia, atelectasis, immunocompromised hosts, or suspected airway obstruction, facilitating targeted sampling and therapeutic intervention.
5️⃣ Prevention remains a cornerstone of care.
Vaccination, infection-control measures, smoking cessation, and early specialist referral substantially reduce severe disease and complications
Dr Neel Thakkar, Senior consultant Pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine
