If mild (defined as not requiring mechanical ventilation and having only one of the three cardinal symptoms of increased dyspnea, sputum purulence or sputum production), NO.
If moderate to severe (defined as requiring mechanical ventilation or having at least two of the three cardinal symptoms), YES.
Which antibiotic?
If no risk factors for complicated COPD (age
Bottom line, most folks that show up in the ED with a COPD exacerbation should recieve an antibiotic. Which type depends on their risk for complications and pseudomonas.
Source
Bartless, J. MD. Sethi, S. MD. “Diagnosis and treatment of infection in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulomonary disease.” Up to Date. Oct 2008.
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