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Are Oral Antibiotics The Right Course Of Treatment For Pleurisy?

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Posted on Thu, 16 Jun 2016
Question: I was diagnosed with pneumonia 3 weeks ago, with my only symptom being chest pain.

I had an X-ray and CT scan to rule out a blood clot and they both showed lower left love infiltrate with pleurisy.

I was given a shot of antibiotics and a dose of oral antibiotics. One weeks later my follow up X-ray showed no improvement on the left lung and also should infiltrates in the right middle lobe. I was given another dose or oral antibiotics and two weeks later my X-ray showed some improvement.

The doctor is now telling me we will just do another X-ray in two weeks.

I'm concerned this isn't the right course of treatment. Additionally since I have no other symptoms besides some fatigue is it possible it's not pneumonia?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Better to get done bronchoscopy and XXXXXXX analysis.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you should consult pulmonologist and get done bronchoscopy and XXXXXXX (bronchoalveolar lavage) culture and sensitivity report. XXXXXXX culture is needed to isolate the causative organism and sensitivity report will guide about effective antibiotic treatment.
No point in taking haphazard antibiotic.
Your chest x ray is not improving, infact worsening.
So better not to take antibiotic further.
Yes, you are right, this might not be pneumonia.
This might be some inflammatory process like bronchiolitis.
Bronchoscopy and XXXXXXX will also be helpful in this also.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done bronchoscopy and XXXXXXX analysis.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (19 hours later)
Thank you for the informatioon.

Is there any benefit in having another CT scan before the XXXXXXX procedure.

I am now starting to cough in the morning and feel light headed with some pressure in my chest. Are those simply symptoms of the pneumonia?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No need to go for CT prior to bronchoscopy.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
No need to go for fresh CT scan. Your previous scan was just 3 weeks old.
Better to get done CT scan bronchoscopy.
First get done bronchoscopy and XXXXXXX analysis. Get done diagnosis of this. Start appropriate treatment for 2 weeks and then go for CT today see any improvement.
In my opinion, you are mostly having inflammation and this gives you all these symptoms of chest tightness.
Hope I have solved your query.
If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 15005 Questions

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Are Oral Antibiotics The Right Course Of Treatment For Pleurisy?

Brief Answer: Better to get done bronchoscopy and XXXXXXX analysis. Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. In my opinion, you should consult pulmonologist and get done bronchoscopy and XXXXXXX (bronchoalveolar lavage) culture and sensitivity report. XXXXXXX culture is needed to isolate the causative organism and sensitivity report will guide about effective antibiotic treatment. No point in taking haphazard antibiotic. Your chest x ray is not improving, infact worsening. So better not to take antibiotic further. Yes, you are right, this might not be pneumonia. This might be some inflammatory process like bronchiolitis. Bronchoscopy and XXXXXXX will also be helpful in this also. So better to consult pulmonologist and get done bronchoscopy and XXXXXXX analysis. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.