GuidelinesOther guideline
COPD Exacerbations
Infection COPD exacerbations Brief outline/clinical setting Severe exacerbation 1)- increased sputum production 2) Increased sputum purulence 3) increased dyspnoea IF 2 + other symptoms / OR require ventilation. (EVIDENCE B and C)) and CRP >40 2 symptoms, one of which is increased purulence give antibiotics If there is associated structural lung disease, send off a sputum MC+S for pseudomonas
| Infection | COPD exacerbations |
| Brief outline/clinical setting | Severe exacerbation 1)- increased sputum production 2) Increased sputum purulence 3) increased dyspnoea IF 2 + other symptoms / OR require ventilation. (EVIDENCE B and C)) and CRP >40 2 symptoms, one of which is increased purulence give antibiotics If there is associated structural lung disease, send off a sputum MC+S for pseudomonas aeruginosa |
| Aetiologies/organisms | Strep pneumoniae, Haemophilus Influenza, Moraxella catarrhalis |
| Optimal antimicrobial selection | Amoxicillin- clavulanate 1g tds PO Amoxicillin- clavulanate 1,2g IVI Cefuroxime 1.5g IVI tds |
| Duration | 5 days |
| Alternative if allergic/not available | Ceftriaxone 1g IVI bd |
| Rationale | |
| Level of evidence | |
| Link to Guideline | http://www.samj.org.za/index. php/samj/article/view/4490 |