Clinical presentation of subjects with pneumonia according to systemic corticosteroid treatment.

N = 58.*No-steroid and steroid group denote group of subjects who were not treated and treated with systematic corticosteroids.†Wheezing was defined as a continuous high pitched sound emitting from the chest during expiration on auscultation.‡Pathogenic bacteria co-infection was detected by throat swabs and/or sputum.§SpO2: oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry in room air.¶The number of days from symptom onset to the initiation of administration of antiviral agent either oseltamivir or zanamivir.∥At least one medication of short-acting β2-agonist, long-acting β2-agonist, inhaled isoproterenol, inhaled disodium cromoglycate, aminophylline, and leukotriene receptor antagonists.**Oxygen was administered using a nasal cannula or face mask.††The time (hours) to alleviation of fever to less than 37°C after the administration of antiviral agents.Definition of abbreviation: WBC, white blood cell count; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; CRP, C-reactive protein.