Table 1.
PNG standard classification of pneumonia and treatment implications before this study [8]
| Pneumonia classification: PNG (WHO equivalent) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cough and difficult breathing plus … | ||
| Classification | Signs | Treatment |
| Severe pneumonia (severe pneumonia) | Danger signs or hypoxaemia (SpO2 <90%) or cyanosis | Admit, give oxygen, benzyl penicillin (or ampicillin) and gentamicin intravenous |
| If cough persist more than 14 days, assess for tuberculosis | ||
| Moderate pneumoniaa (pneumonia with chest indrawing) | Chest indrawing, but no danger signs or hypoxaemia | Admit, benzylpenicillin intravenous for 24 h; if improved, then change to amoxicillin for 5 days |
| If cough persist more than 14 days. assess for tuberculosis | ||
| Mild pneumonia (pneumonia) | Fast breathing, but no chest indrawing, danger signs or hypoxaemia | Home on oral amoxicillin |
| Simple cough | Normal respiratory rate, no chest indrawing and no danger signs | Home with symptomatic treatment only (maintain oral fluids, continue breast feeding, e.g. paracetamol if febrile) |
a
Equivalent to current WHO classification of pneumonia with chest indrawing.