Clinically suspected acute respiratory infection or exacerbation of chronic respiratory disease
Availability of respiratory tract sample
1. Spontaneously breathing patients are able to produce a sputum sample
2. Mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care are due to have an Bronchoalveolar lavage or non-directed bronchial lavage for a clinical indication
Due to receive either:
1. an anti-infective agent (e.g. antibiotic, antiviral or antifungal) OR
2. a systemic anti-inflammatory agent (e.g. corticosteroid)
Valid informed consent, assent or enrolment through deferred consent
Re-enrolment will be allowed if presenting for a separate acute event
You may not be if
Alternate respiratory cause of presentation in the opinion of the treating physician (e.g. pulmonary embolism, heart failure, etc.)
High clinical likelihood of infection with a Hazard Group 3 pathogen (e.g. tuberculosis, anthrax, plague)
