I have had a chronic cough for 6 months. Went into the Ashma/ Allery Clinic and did breathing tests and skin testing. Also got the pneumonia vaccine. The Doc put me on Qvar which showed no improvement in 4 weeks. Got a chest x-ray which indicated pneumonia in left lower. Took antibiotics for 5 days and did a follow up chest x-ray on 5/14. Do not know what the results are yet. I am now on Dulera and stopped the Qvar. I am not feeling any better and have chest pain. Still have the cough. What other recommendation(s) might you have?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your situation and problem. Ideal way to treat pneumonia is identification of causative organism first and then start antibiotics according to the sensitivity report. So consult pulmonologist and get done sputum culture and sensitivity. If sputum is not available than bronchoscopy and BAD (Bronchoalveolar lavage) analysis is needed. BAL is superior to sputum to identify causative organism. Better not to take antibiotics without culture and sensitivity report, as you are not improving. Irrational use of antibiotics may harm you. So consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.