CURB-65 Score for Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Severity scoring for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Guides decision between outpatient, inpatient, and ICU care. British Thoracic Society standard score.
Score interpretation
CURB-65 0–1 — low severity. 30-day mortality ~1.5–3%.
→ Outpatient treatment appropriate; oral antibiotics; review in 48h
CURB-65 2 — moderate severity. 30-day mortality ~9%.
→ Consider hospital admission; IV antibiotics if not tolerating orals; medical assessment
CURB-65 3–5 — high severity. 30-day mortality ~15–40%.
→ Hospital admission required; consider ITU assessment for score 4–5; IV antibiotics; blood cultures before antibiotics
Interpretation bands for the CURB-65. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Lim WS et al. Defining community acquired pneumonia severity on presentation to hospital: an international derivation and validation study. Thorax. 2003;58(5):377–382.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI/PORT) · Pneumonia
- CRB-65 Score for Community Pneumonia · Pneumonia
- SMART-COP Score for Pneumonia Severity · Pneumonia
- MuLBSTA Score for Viral Pneumonia Mortality · Pneumonia
- DRIP Score for Drug-Resistant Pneumonia · Pneumonia
- SCAP Score for Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia · Pneumonia
- Lefamulin · Pleuromutilin Antibiotic (Community-Acquired Pneumonia)
- Ceftriaxone (Paediatric) · Third-Generation Cephalosporin — Meningitis / Sepsis / Community-Acquired Pneumonia
- Amoxicillin · Antibiotic — Community-Acquired Pneumonia
- Doxapram hydrochloride · Respiratory stimulant
- Emollients, urea-containing · Topical emollient (urea, keratolytic)
- Urea Hydrogen Peroxide Ear Drops · Ear Wax Softening / Cerumenolytic
- Acute Asthma in Adults · BTS/SIGN British Guideline on Asthma 2019; NICE NG80
- Pulmonary Embolism Assessment · NICE NG158; ESC 2019 PE Guidelines
- Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) · NICE NG115; GOLD 2024
- Spontaneous Pneumothorax (Adult) · BTS Pleural Disease 2023
- Atypical Pneumonia (Legionella / Mycoplasma / Chlamydophila) · BTS 2023; IDSA
- COPD Exacerbation Management · NICE NG115 / GOLD 2024
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.