What is the expected treatment for an exacerbation of atypical pneumonia in an otherwise healthy adult?

For an exacerbation of atypical pneumonia in an otherwise healthy adult, the expected treatment is clarithromycin. Atypical pneumonia is often caused by specific pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae or Chlamydophila pneumoniae, which do not respond to standard beta-lactam antibiotics like amoxicillin, as these pathogens have different cell wall structures. Clarithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, is effective against these organisms because it inhibits bacterial protein synthesis and is specifically indicated for atypical pneumonia.

Tocilizumab is an IL-6 receptor antagonist primarily used in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and is not indicated for pneumonia treatment. Vancomycin is a strong antibiotic usually reserved for serious infections caused by resistant organisms, most commonly Staphylococcus aureus infections, which are not typical causative agents of atypical pneumonia in otherwise healthy individuals. Amoxicillin, while effective for some types of bacterial pneumonia, does not cover the atypical pathogens that cause this specific type of pneumonia effectively. Thus, clarithromycin is the most appropriate choice for treating atypical pneumonia exacerbation in this patient population.