This guideline was developed before the COVID-19 pandemic. It covers diagnosing and managing pneumonia in adults who do not have COVID-19. It aims to improve accurate assessment and diagnosis of pneumonia to help guide antibiotic prescribing and ensure that people receive the right treatment.

July 2022:

We reinstated this guideline, which was temporarily withdrawn in May 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and plan to update it. For more information see the surveillance decision. For recommendations on managing suspected or confirmed pneumonia in adults with COVID-19, see NICE's guidelines on managing COVID-19.