[Empirical antimicrobial therapy of respiratory infections]

Respiratory infections cause a significant morbidity and mortality. Ideally, the treatment should be directed against the identified pathogen and its sensitivity to antibiotics. In many situations, however, the pathogen is unknown and the infections are treated empirically. Author briefly reviews the current empirical therapeutical recommendations based on the age of patient, comorbidity and the type of infection (acute bronchitis, exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, community acquired pneumonia, nosocomial pneumonia and pneumonia in immunocompromised patients.