Aspiration Pneumonia

Duration of Therapy

Patients who recover within 24-48 hours likely had aspiration pneumonitis and should have their antibiotics stopped

7 days for true aspiration pneumonia

May require prolonged therapy (3-4 weeks or until resolved) if lung abscess develops

Anaerobic coverage is controversial. It's reasonable to cover anaerobes if:

  • poor oral hygiene

  • severe peridontal disease

  • putrid sputum

Cultures are helpful in guiding therapy, especially if organisms are present on the gram stain

Refrain from treating candida in the sputum unless suspecting systemic candidiasis (e.g. neutropenic, transplant patients)