PNEUMONIA ADQUIRIDA NA COMUNIDADE: DIRETRIZES BRASILEIRAS UM DEBATE NECESSÁRIO

Community-acquired pneumonia remains the acute infectious disease with the greatest medical and social impact in terms of morbidity and treatment-related costs. The age groups most susceptible to severe complications are those at the extremes of age, a fact that has justified the adoption of prevention measures targeted at these population groups. Despite advances in knowledge in the fields of etiology and pathophysiology, as well as the improvement of diagnostic and therapeutic methods, numerous aspects still deserve further investigation. This is due to clinical, social, demographic, and structural diversity, which cannot be fully predicted. Thus, the publication of guidelines aims to systematically group updated knowledge and propose its rational application in medical practice. Therefore, it is not a rigid rule to be followed, but rather a tool to be used critically, considering the variability of biological responses and human beings, within their individual and social context. This guideline is the result of a broad discussion among members of the Scientific Council and the Respiratory Infections Committee of the Brazilian Society of Pulmonology and Phthisiology. The working group proposed presenting topics considered relevant, aiming to update the previous guideline. Repetition of concepts considered consensual was avoided as much as possible. The main objective of the document is to present in an organized manner the advances provided by recent literature and, thus, contribute to improving care for immunocompetent adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia.