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Does Chronic Coughing Despite Under Treatment With Levaquin For Pneumonia Require Further Attention?
Question: Dear Staff, Thank you. my father will be 91 next month and is in great health. He had a flu vaccine and a pneumonia vaccine. Im not sure he had the one targeted to the elderly or not.
He was vacationing in Florida, and his friend had to take him to the ER of a hospital that they'd never been to. He was diagnosed with Pneumonia, and given antibiotics. That was a week and a half ago, and he says he is feeling a little better but has a chronic cough, which is unusual. He is a non smoker, and active physically. He also mentioned he has a lot of calf muscle cramps in both legs, which he has never had before. The ER dr, the only one available on his vacation, said the calf muscle cramps may have been due to the antibiotics he prescribed. My father has a history of Angine, and had a balloon angioplasty a long time ago, and has stents. I think he should return home to his native XXXXXXX earlier than his planned return date of Feb. 20th which is seven days from now. I also suggest he see a pulmonolgist. I want to make sure that there is nothing residual left in his system. What is your advice? Thanks in advance
He was vacationing in Florida, and his friend had to take him to the ER of a hospital that they'd never been to. He was diagnosed with Pneumonia, and given antibiotics. That was a week and a half ago, and he says he is feeling a little better but has a chronic cough, which is unusual. He is a non smoker, and active physically. He also mentioned he has a lot of calf muscle cramps in both legs, which he has never had before. The ER dr, the only one available on his vacation, said the calf muscle cramps may have been due to the antibiotics he prescribed. My father has a history of Angine, and had a balloon angioplasty a long time ago, and has stents. I think he should return home to his native XXXXXXX earlier than his planned return date of Feb. 20th which is seven days from now. I also suggest he see a pulmonolgist. I want to make sure that there is nothing residual left in his system. What is your advice? Thanks in advance
Brief Answer:
Please consider the following.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.
I read carefully the history you provide and I can understand your concern.
As you explain the history he is now under treatment for pneumonia and is feeling better and this is the most important thing.
You don't mention the name of antibiotic. It might be taken for 10 days in most of the cases but it depends on the patient.
Don't worry so much about the cough. Mostly in pneumonia and after it might last a cough firstly wet and than dry. The improvement has some signs such as the lack of breathlessness, fever and fatigue
I also recommend him to be seen by a specialist Pulmonologist for better and further follow up given the fact that he has comorbidities too.
I wish a fast recovery for your father.
Hope I have answered your question. Feel free to ask me again.
Regards,
Dr. Jolanda,
Pulmonologist
Please consider the following.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.
I read carefully the history you provide and I can understand your concern.
As you explain the history he is now under treatment for pneumonia and is feeling better and this is the most important thing.
You don't mention the name of antibiotic. It might be taken for 10 days in most of the cases but it depends on the patient.
Don't worry so much about the cough. Mostly in pneumonia and after it might last a cough firstly wet and than dry. The improvement has some signs such as the lack of breathlessness, fever and fatigue
I also recommend him to be seen by a specialist Pulmonologist for better and further follow up given the fact that he has comorbidities too.
I wish a fast recovery for your father.
Hope I have answered your question. Feel free to ask me again.
Regards,
Dr. Jolanda,
Pulmonologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
I was concerned because I had heard that some people get pneumonia even after having a pneumonia vaccine, or they can get secondary infection. He is still coughing, was never a wet cough, its a dry one. Oh and Also he is in Florida on vacation for another seven day, shouldn't he leave to go back to XXXXXXX to go to his primary care, instead of an e r doctor who doesn't know him? He has mild athersclerosis, can this complicate things?
I think his antibiotic is Levaquin, he is getting calf pain, in both lower legs also.
Thanks
I think his antibiotic is Levaquin, he is getting calf pain, in both lower legs also.
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Continue discussion.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again!
Levaquin is good but the regimen I would prefer would be one tablet for 10 days in his case. The calf pain might be a side effect of antibiotic instead.
So there are two choices
1.To continua the current treatment as above if the the leg pain is mild and when come back home to have a visit with the Pulmonologist.
Or
2.If his pain is serious and he is not feeling good than the antibiotic should be change and this is the case he should be back earlier.
Hope I have answered your question.
Regards,
Dr. Jolanda,
Pulmonologist
Continue discussion.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again!
Levaquin is good but the regimen I would prefer would be one tablet for 10 days in his case. The calf pain might be a side effect of antibiotic instead.
So there are two choices
1.To continua the current treatment as above if the the leg pain is mild and when come back home to have a visit with the Pulmonologist.
Or
2.If his pain is serious and he is not feeling good than the antibiotic should be change and this is the case he should be back earlier.
Hope I have answered your question.
Regards,
Dr. Jolanda,
Pulmonologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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