Clinical care for severe acute respiratory infection: toolkit: COVID-19 adaptation
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World Health Organization
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xxi, 281 p.
Severe acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19, influenza and other emerging pathogens, continue to place substantial demands on health systems, particularly in resource-limited settings. This toolkit presents updated, practical guidance from the World Health Organization to support clinicians in the comprehensive management of adult and paediatric patients with severe respiratory illness, from hospital admission through to discharge, across different levels of care. The publication outlines standardized approaches to screening, triage, clinical assessment and treatment, integrating evidence-based recommendations with operational tools such as algorithms, checklists and memory aids structured by topic and level of care. It covers key domains including infection prevention and control, diagnostic testing, oxygen therapy, antimicrobial use, and the management of complications such as sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome, alongside critical care practices. Updated content reflects evolving evidence on COVID-19, including severity classification, therapeutics and home care guidance. Intended for clinicians working in varied settings, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the toolkit emphasizes adaptable implementation to strengthen quality of care, improve patient outcomes and enhance preparedness for respiratory epidemics.
Severe acute respiratory infections, including COVID-19, influenza and other emerging pathogens, continue to place substantial demands on health systems, particularly in resource-limited settings. This toolkit presents updated, practical guidance from the World Health Organization to support clinicians in the comprehensive management of adult and paediatric patients with severe respiratory illness, from hospital admission through to discharge, across different levels of care. The publication outlines standardized approaches to screening, triage, clinical assessment and treatment, integrating evidence-based recommendations with operational tools such as algorithms, checklists and memory aids structured by topic and level of care. It covers key domains including infection prevention and control, diagnostic testing, oxygen therapy, antimicrobial use, and the management of complications such as sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome, alongside critical care practices. Updated content reflects evolving evidence on COVID-19, including severity classification, therapeutics and home care guidance. Intended for clinicians working in varied settings, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the toolkit emphasizes adaptable implementation to strengthen quality of care, improve patient outcomes and enhance preparedness for respiratory epidemics.