[Diagnostics and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia - simplicity is the key to success].

Pneumonia is the most wide-spread infectious disease and requires unrelenting attention. It is defined as an acute inflammatory disease affecting pulmonary alveoli, respiratory bronchioles and the pulmonary interstitium. In recent years we have seen the endeavour to rationalize the approach to pneumonias and utilize the current methods of administering effective antibiotics to reduce occurrence of complications, limit the number of hospitalizations and shorten the length of treatment. With the awareness of all the potential agents it is empiric therapy which predominates, being supported by the knowledge of a regional epidemiological situation, good diagnosing and experience of rational antibiotic treatment. Very important is categorization of patients based on possible risks of complications and mortality. Considering that an appropriate form of treatment is chosen: outpatient care or hospitalization.Key words: community-acquired pneumonia - treatment criteria - prognosis - occurrence.