HYDROcortisone Versus Placebo for Severe HospItal-acquired Pneumonia in Intensive Care Patients: the HYDRO-SHIP Study

Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Suspected ou confirmed case of bacterial nosocomial pneumonia (including ventilator-associated pneumonia) * Intensive Care Unit stay * Signed consent form (by the patient or a legal guardian) Exclusion Criteria: * Women who are pregnant, have recently given birth or are breastfeeding * Patients who are moribund or do not have a treatment perspective * Patients with community acquired pneumonia * Patients with other types of pneumonia (viral - including COVID-19, fungal etc.) * Those with pulmonary infiltrates in chest image which are not compatible with bacterial pneumonia * Patients with adrenal insufficiency * Patients who have a condition that demands the use of corticosteroids (acute or chronic) * Patients allergic to hydrocortisone * Patients with refractory septic shock (those receiving more than 0,5mcg/kg/min of norepinephrine)