Asthma and Chest infections
Question:
sorry, but I’ve managed to get myself all confused (not exactly the smartest person on the block). So: virus= flu= no antibiotics bacterial= infection= antibiotics Or do I have it wrong? Just checking.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> CBI wrote > <<<Most (meaning >90%) thick green mucus is caused by viruses. I have > spoken with several infectious disease specialists who scoff at the > concept of bacterial bronchitis.>>> > I stand corrected. The antbiotics have been prescribed for me only > a f t e r the eight or ten day virus term was up and the symptoms > persisted—jkm
Response:
>sorry, but I’ve managed to get myself all confused (not exactly the smartest >person on the block). So: > virus= flu= no antibiotics >bacterial= infection= antibiotics >Or do I have it wrong? Just checking.
Almost. flu is a virus – not all viruses are flu – the common cold is another virus. viral infections are not affected by antibiotics. bacterial ones are. both can create green (or yellow) gunk – that’s mostly dead cells from your own body. sometimes you are given antibiotics when ill with a viral infection to prevent secondary infections with bacteria. everytime you take antibiotics there is a chance of another strain of resistant bacteria emerging. The risk is reduced if you take the antibiotics as directed (e.g. at the prescribed dose and time) and finish the course. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> CBI wrote > <<<Most (meaning >90%) thick green mucus is caused by viruses. I have > spoken with several infectious disease specialists who scoff at the > concept of bacterial bronchitis.>>> > I stand corrected. The antbiotics have been prescribed for me only > a f t e r the eight or ten day virus term was up and the symptoms > persisted—jkm
– Five Cats
Response:
CBI wrote <<<Most (meaning >90%) thick green mucus is caused by viruses. I have spoken with several infectious disease specialists who scoff at the concept of bacterial bronchitis.>>> I stand corrected. The antbiotics have been prescribed for me only a f t e r the eight or ten day virus term was up and the symptoms persisted—jkm
Response:
Improving his environment could help prevent chest infections. For example A hepa filter air cleaner in his sleeping room: it filters out all but the smallest particles in the air. A big one will cost you as little as 130 pounds. HEPA A de-humidifier if you live in a damp climate. About the same price If his appetite is sluggish, fewer sweets, more fish and meat. Attractive vegetables if you can. But when he coughs up thick green mucous, with or without a fever, he has an infection and you better find somone who will prescribe an antibiotic.
Response:
> Improving his environment could help prevent chest infections. For > example > A hepa filter air cleaner in his sleeping room: it filters > out all but the smallest particles in the air. A big one will cost you > as little as 130 pounds. HEPA > A de-humidifier if you live in a damp climate. About the > same price > If his appetite is sluggish, fewer sweets, more fish and > meat. Attractive vegetables if you can. > But when he coughs up thick green mucous, with or > without a fever, he has an infection and you better find somone who will > prescribe an antibiotic.
Most (meaning >90%) thick green mucus is caused by viruses. I have spoken with several infectious disease specialists who scoff at the concept of bacterial bronchitis. — CBI, MD
Response:
If that is truly what the doctor said suggest you see another doctor.
Response:
You may want to have your child referred to a specialist, or, at the very least, get a second opinion. (I plan to follow my own advice, too). Nell My son is prone to recurrent chest infections as he has Asthma it makes him really ill. The Doctor refuses to prescribe antibiotics saying that it doesn’t help him as he has Asthma. He has given him a very high dose of Flixotide but it does not help him at all. Has anyone got any ideas to help him with chest infections.
Response:
This is a grey area. I swing into my action plan, and up my meds according to my doctor’s instructions when I have a cold. But when it sits in my chest more than a week and I feel things are only getting worse, I insist on the antibiotics. They always work and bring relief within 24-48 hrs. Especially Zithromax. Maybe asthmatics are more prone to secondary bacterial infections that can’t be diagnosed. Two weeks is a long time to wait if things are going south. I would seek a second opinion. There are doctors who realize asthmatics need more aggressive treatment when it comes to chest ailments. Use your instincts and your son’s input on whether things are getting worse in these situations.
Response:
>The Doctor refuses to prescribe antibiotics >saying that it doesn’t help him as he has Asthma. > There is no reason why if you HAVE an infection that you wouldnt take > antibiotics.
That would be the big "if." I suspect that what the doctor is trying to convey is that the "infections" may be asthma symptoms, possibly exacerbated by viruses. If this is the case then no antibiotics are needed. — CBI, MD
Response:
>My son is prone to recurrent chest infections as he has Asthma it >makes him really ill. The Doctor refuses to prescribe antibiotics >saying that it doesn’t help him as he has Asthma. He has given him a >very high dose of Flixotide but it does not help him at all. Has >anyone got any ideas to help him with chest infections.
Hiya – Im no doctor, but I dont see how one has to do with the other. If your son actually has an infection (which can be detected by the docs examining sputum, ect) then he needs an antibiotic. One has nothing to do with the other. I just finished a course of Zithromax because I was coughing up science experiments. As a matter of fact, my doc did a study recently with Zithromax and asthmatics because Zithromax has been found to have some anti-inflammatory properties. My asthma was too severe for the study, so I dont know the outcome. There is no reason why if you HAVE an infection that you wouldnt take antibiotics. I’ve had asthma my entire life and I have taken antibiotics off and on hundreds of times through the years. They have never affected me adversely and always got rid of the infection. My advice is go to an asthma specialist and get some answers there. Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )
Response:
> My son is prone to recurrent chest infections as he has Asthma it > makes him really ill. The Doctor refuses to prescribe antibiotics > saying that it doesn’t help him as he has Asthma. He has given him a > very high dose of Flixotide but it does not help him at all. Has > anyone got any ideas to help him with chest infections.
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections; the majority of chest infections are viral [& a few are fungal]. See: http://www.njc.org/medfacts/uri.html URI (Colds) & Acute Bronchitis "UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS Colds are typically viral infections of the upper respiratory tract. Over 200 different viruses can cause a cold. Some of the common viruses include: rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), corona virus, para-influenza and influenza A cold usually runs its course without complications in one to two weeks. If you have cold symptoms lasting longer than two weeks, report this to your doctor. Also, report symptoms of a nasal discharge which has an odor or is colored as this can indicate a sinus infection. Antibiotics and vitamin C are not helpful in relieving symptoms of the common cold. Frequent handwashing and use of disposable tissues may help decrease the spread of cold germs. In fact, handwashing may be the single most effective way to reduce the spread of infections!" see link for more details Ellis
Response:
>My son is prone to recurrent chest infections as he has Asthma it >makes him really ill. The Doctor refuses to prescribe antibiotics >saying that it doesn’t help him as he has Asthma. He has given him a >very high dose of Flixotide but it does not help him at all. Has >anyone got any ideas to help him with chest infections.
I discovered the hard way that increasing the inhaled steroid dose to try to get my asthma under control just made it worse. When I knocked off the inhaled steroid altogether, my breathing began to improve. As I understand it this is contrary to what most sufferers experience. My consultant simply said there’s no point in taking it, if it isn’t doing you any good. So, it might be worth while trying to get a different flavour of inhaled steroid, if you haven’t done that already. I tried this also, but the same thing happened as before. Don’t give up though, there are other types of medication available. Jo.
Response:
My son is prone to recurrent chest infections as he has Asthma it makes him really ill. The Doctor refuses to prescribe antibiotics saying that it doesn’t help him as he has Asthma. He has given him a very high dose of Flixotide but it does not help him at all. Has anyone got any ideas to help him with chest infections.
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