text: Characteristics of viral pneumonia in the COVID 19 era an update Influenza virus rhinovirus and adenovirus frequently cause viral pneumonia an important cause of morbidity and mortality especially in the extreme ages of life During the last two decades three outbreaks of coronavirus associated pneumonia namely Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and the ongoing Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 COVID 19 were reported The rate of diagnosis of viral pneumonia is increasingly approaching 60 among children identified as having community acquired pneumonia CAP Clinical presentation ranges from mild to severe pneumonitis complicated by respiratory failure in severe cases The most vulnerable patients the elderly and those living with cancer report a relevant mortality rate No clinical characteristics can be useful to conclusively distinguish the different etiology of viral pneumonia However accessory symptoms such as anosmia or ageusia together with respiratory symptoms suggest COVID 19 An etiologic based treatment of viral pneumonia is possible in a small percentage of cases only Neuraminidase inhibitors have been proven to reduce the need for ventilatory support and mortality rate while only a few data support the large scale use of other antivirals A low middle dose of dexamethasone and heparin seems to be effective in COVID 19 patients but data regarding their possible efficacy in viral pneumonia caused by other viruses are conflicting In conclusion viral pneumonia is a relevant cause of CAP whose interest is increasing due to the current COVID 19 outbreak To set up a therapeutic approach is difficult because of the low number of active molecules and the conflicting data bearing supportive treatments such as steroids 