The use of corticosteroids has become less clear with the findings of the REMAP-CAP study and are probably only indicated in a very small subset of patients. New pathogen diagnostic tools find new pathogens, but do not seem to improve patient outcomes. Patients should not be put at risk by withholding empiric antibiotic therapy in the setting of detection of a virus in upper airways samples.
Edland et al. (Mon,) studied this question.