The differential should include other causes of hemolysis, such as that found in non-immune hemolytic anemia including intrinsic red cell defects, hemolysis due to extrinsic factors (ie trugs or toxins) as well as mechanical damage hemolytic anemia as found in DIC and HUS.
The best initial antibiotic choice is thought to be a macrolide. Macrolides provide the best coverage for the most likely organisms in community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CAP). Macrolides have effective coverage for gram-positive, Legionella, and Mycoplasma organisms. Azithromycin administered intravenously is an alternative to intravenous erythromycin.
In most cases, pneumonia is caused by a virus that does not require antibiotics; however, pneumonia caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics taken by mouth at home. The type of antibiotic used depends on the type of bacteria thought to have caused the pneumonia. Antiviral medicine is now available too, but is reserved for the flu when found early in the course of illness. Children might need treatment in a hospital if the pneumonia causes a lasting high fever, breathing problems, or if they: need oxygen therapy have a lung infection that may have spread to the bloodstream