Early Discontinuation of Antibiotic Therapy in Elderly Patients Hospitalized for a Viral Infection

Inclusion criteria

• Patients ≥ 65 years affiliated to a social security scheme
• Hospitalized for a lower respiratory infection defined as:

• the presence of 2 of the following 4 signs:
• hyperthermia >38°C,
• hyperleukocytosis ≥12000 or ≤4000,
• purulent aspirations/sputum,
• rales on pulmonary auscultation indicating parenchymal damage
• associated with a pulmonary image (standard X-ray, CT scan or ultrasound)
• Microbiological diagnostic sample taken within 48 hours
• Informed consent of the patient or their representative

Exclusion criteria

• Hospitalization planned for < 48 hours or transfer planned to another center within 7 days

• Patient in septic shock,
• Febrile aplasia
• Absence of diagnostic microbiological sampling (> 48 hours after admission)
• Moribund patient,
• Death expected within the week
• Inhalation proven by endoscopy or eyewitness
• Purulent pleurisy, lung abscess, or other concomitant bacterial infection requiring antibiotic therapy.