The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published its latest set of rapid coronavirus guidelines, for the care of immunocompromised people under 17 years old and adults hospitalised with pneumonia.

While COVID-19 usually causes a mild, self-limiting illness in children and young people, even in those who are immunocompromised, the Institute is advising healthcare professionals to discuss the risks and benefits of continuing or stopping treatment and provide reassurance that immunosuppression does not appear to raise the risk of severe COVID-19.

Patients should not miss their usual appointments, should continue with their treatment and speak to their specialist team if they have been told they are in a shielded group, but parents should get in contact with healthcare professionals if COVID-19 is suspected.

The guideline on antibiotics for pneumonia in adults in hospital emphasises the importance of careful antibiotic prescribing and prompt review after testing.

During the COVID 19 pandemic, most cases of pneumonia have been viral and therefore antibiotics are ineffective unless there is a bacterial co-infection, the Institute stressed.

However, for patients with suspected or confirmed bacterial pneumonia, a broad-spectrum antibiotic should be given as soon as possible unless there is significant confidence about the absence of bacterial co-infection.

If a patient has suspected sepsis, antibiotics must be started within one hour of admission.

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