CAP can range from mild illness to severe, life-threatening disease. Severity is driven by host factors such as age, comorbidities (COPD, heart failure, diabetes), immune status, and—critically—oxygenation. Many cases can be managed as outpatients, but low oxygen saturation, rapid breathing, confusion, or low blood pressure may indicate the need for hospital admission. CAP seriousness is not defined only by the pathogen; it is shaped by the patient’s physiological reserve and risk profile. The safest approach is early clinical evaluation, appropriate treatment, and clear escalation triggers—seeking care promptly if symptoms worsen or new red flags appear.