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Suggest Treatment For Severe Bronchitis

Posted on Wed, 9 Apr 2014

Question: I am 77 years old and had breathing problems for about 9 years, assuming that the bronchis' are covered with slimy and sticky mucus. The lungs are clear I have no shortage of breath on exercising, so it doesn't seem to be asthma. Now I inflicted a severe inflammation of the bronchis' and take 250 mg clarithromycin. Immediately green and sticky (like glue) mucus started to loosen deep in the bronchis. Can this develop within 2 days into the infection or is this may be the mucus having built up over many years. I should also say that I haven't taken any antibiotics over many years. Thanks for your answer. Regards XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Suggested culture&sensitivity testing green phlegm Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX I have gone through your medical history and understood your concerns. To have more success in treating such severe bronchitis (infection of the bronchi), I suggest to do the culture of bronchial aspirates or green phlegm and sensitivity testing in order to determine the right causative agent and proper antibiotic. Chlarithromycin is one of the most effective drugs in treating respiratory tract infections, however, sensitivity testing would determine the antibiotic with the highest sensitivity. The mucus that started to loosen deep in bronchi 2 days after starting antibiotic indicates that the antibiotic is giving effect and your bronchi will be cleared up. As you have not had any antibiotic for years, then, hopefully, the current antibiotic treatment will succeed in clearing up your bronchi. Inhalation of steam with sea salt is also a great choice to help your bronchi cleared up. Hope it helped! Let me know if you have further queries! Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (2 hours later)

Hallo Dr. Albana, thank you for giving me extensive information and for your good advise For now I am very satisfied. One more question, how fresh have the cultures to be for testing? Regards XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Following suggestions... Detailed Answer: Hi, I suggest to buy a sterile container in the drug store. When you wake up in the morning, first thing you do is to try to cough and spit your phlegm inside the container. Please bare in mind to open the container only when you have to spit to avoid contamination. Try to spit the green phlegm, if not, then, try again until you succeed. You can send the sample to the lab. However, should discuss it further with your doctor and lab to further culture the sample. I usually recommend my patients to collect the sample in the lab, so, it will be processed right away. However, if the lab is far away from your home, can collect as above-mentioned and send to the lab within 30 minutes from the collection time. You can discuss the details further with your doctor. Hope it helped! Let me know if you have more queries! Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (14 hours later)

good morning Dr. Albana, thank you for your advice. Regards XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: You're most welcomed! Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX You are most welcome. Let me know if you have further queries! I'd be honored to help you! Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar