ANTIBIOTIC THERAPY
Because the exact causative organism is not identified in many patients with CAP, treatment is usually empiric. Recommendations for antibiotic therapy in these patients are listed in Table 7.12 One of the major differences between U.S. and European guidelines for treatment of CAP is that all patients in the United States receive treatment for S. pneumoniae and atypical organisms because CAP is more often caused by these pathogens in North America.26 Macrolides (e.g., azithromycin [Zithromax], clarithromycin [Biaxin]) can be used for outpatients with no cardiopulmonary disease or recent antibiotic use.