65 year old male former smoker
best begin with my language barriers with staff at local Thailand hospital.
treated for “bacterial lung infection” determined from blood presumably was pneumonia January 1
5 days intravenous antibiotic 1 x per day for 5 days + regimen Sudafed, Ambroxol.
Breathing difficulty never really seemed to clear.
Recently sustained “minor cold” about 2 weeks ago that with coughed mucous turning greener returned to hospital.
This time prior to reviewing chest x-ray taken doctor had me on nebulizer for 3 vials and perhaps miscommunicated intention of another antibiotic intravenous regime, because the only thing close was one injection of something in my hand.
I see the doctor again after presumably reviewing the x-ray
Prescribed Advair 2x per day, Berodual inhaler for any serious breathing difficulty.
Ambroxol 30 mg tablet 3x daily
Zertec 10 mg 1/ day
PREDNISOLONE 10 mg. 3x daily, but NO ANTIBIOTIC.
This morning coughing not as frequent, but mucous turning greener.
Question does it make sense depleting immune system with active infection and no antibiotic
Age: 65
Male
Medications: Prednisolone, Ambroxol, Zytrec, Advair
Yes
General Information: Biggest question is possible error being prescribed a medication depleting the immune system with an active lung infection but no antibiotic.
Hello. At this point infection may be viral or bacterial. if viral, antibiotics will have zero effect. – if bacterial, the proper antibiotic needs to be used. Again at this point, in my opinion, prescribing the right antibiotic…in case it is a bacterial infection…. would be like a shot in the dark. Once results are received a proper treatment can then be chosen. Regards
When I asked the question it must have been as confusing as it was for me in January when the only thing the first Thai doctor who put me on 5 days intravenous could only communicate was that my blood tests confirmed no flu, no dengue, only bacterial infection. There was an equally vague blind stare when I asked if it was pneumonia again as the result of which I had my air conditioning system cleaned in case it might have Legionella bacteria. So reading between your lines it appears that I’m right and taking immune system depleting prednisolone without… Read more »
Hi. Thanks for the query.. The medications that are advised to you are appropriate in case if you have a viral infection. As the coughing is also not as frequent as before then it is a good sign and seems to be improving.. As far as taking antibiotics is concerned,it should be done in case of bacterial infection as the antibiotics work only against bacteria and not virus. So in case if it is viral infection then it generally runs its course in human body and then gets resolved on its own. So commonly for viral infection the medications prescribed… Read more »
From your information it seems your Doctor believes it is a viral infection (probably bronchitis etc..) and as such is treating you for a viral infection by focusing on symptom relief – improved breathing etc.. It seems Doctor does not believe it is a bacterial infection – accordingly, antibiotics would be an inappropriate treatment at this time. If symptoms persist do insist on further testing to rule out bacterial infection.