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Infection or Viral?Cold/Flu

Posted , 8 users are following.

simon74257
simon74257

Hi guys, I have a question for some of you more experienced Bronchiectasis sufferers, I have been diagnosed over a year or so ago with this condition which has knocked me for six but since am learning to adjust and cope, I just wondered, when you get a cold or virus and you are coughing up more mucus than usual, does this need antibiotic treatment? My G.p recently saw me as I have a cold or flu and said my chest is clear, I am coughing slightly more mucus up than I usually do but it does not appear to have changed colour. I can breathe okay now it's come off and the cold is on the mend, but as a rule of thumb should I be sending samples off?

Previous samples have shown bugs but my G.P says that everyone has bugs in there body so I am just a bit confused as to if my immune can fight them or if I 100 percent need antibiotics whenever something like this happens?

Kind regards

Simon

1 like, 31 replies

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  • simon74257
    simon74257

    Posted

    Hi guys, so just an update, my sputumn grew moroxella i believe and i am being given 3 weeks of doxycyclin, so it was good we chased it up. I suppose you know in your self when your not right. I wish these bugs would stop reocurring though its a nightmare. No alcohol now all over xmas.

    I see the specialist in calderdale for my follow up in february where i have been told i can discuss my referal to dr becket in leeds the bronciectisis specialist. I need to get on top of this now and pull my life back. Pma i guess. Positive mental attitude and a tonne of gym and healthy eating for me.

    • sam90709
      sam90709 simon74257

      Posted

      Yay! Progress! Moraxella Catarhalis is one of my frequent fliers - I usually just get co-amoxiclav (it's almost universally resistant to penicillin) but doxycycline is a *very* good one for it. 

      On another note, you're absolutely fine to have alcohol while on doxycycline. There's no interaction with booze (though of course it's a very healthy choice!).

      However you should be aware of two issues (1) calcium and hence dairy or antacid tablets can reduce its effectiveness - so put away the stilton! (2) a common side effect is photo sensitivity - i.e. what feels like sunburn with  very little sunshine. Don't know if you're going somewhere sunny / skiing but load up on factor 50!

      Good luck!

      S

    • pinksnugsy
      pinksnugsy simon74257

      Posted

      Hi Simon

      So glad you sent another sample off. Things can change by the hour as I've learned over the years.

      I'm on anti biotics constantly either ivs or nebulising but if I want a drink on the weekends I would have one. If yr just taking tablets it means u may find the effects of alcohol kicking in a bit quicker but you should be fine. I live by the motto that everything is fine in moderation. Hopefully the drugs will kick in within 3/4 days an you will start to feel better.

      Going to the gym will benefit you mentally & physically and you will then feel yr in control of things. Keep me posted on how yr doing.

      PMA is essential!! You will be fine im sure.

      Take care

      Rach

  • simon74257
    simon74257

    Posted

    Thankyou guys, they have given me FOURTY days, one a day of this, wi i am hoping it works, do you guys know if while on this i am more susseptable to catching other illness for example if i go in my gyms steam room as that helps me with my breathing but on the door it mentions if you are immune difficiant or have health problems becareful.. my immune is normal as far as i know but im unsure what the doxycycline will do to it?

    And i guess then the sunbeds are out over xmas, it is reasurring that i am allowed to have a drink over xmas as i don't want to be the party pooper of the family allthough im sure abstaining from it will do me good also. They gave me also 4 days of steriods and the leaflet to it was kinda terrifying. The pharmacist told me that its only in patients who take them long term that this is really relative too.

    I will just try exercise as much as possible and try get well over xmas and hopefully will have a better year in 2016 with the referal to the bronciectisis specialist.

    Sorry for this essay, do you guys send sputumn samples really often then and this bug i have,if untreated would my body not fight it off? I have to say i feel tonnes better from just starting the steroids. Feel human again.

    Regards

    Simon

    • sam90709
      sam90709 simon74257

      Posted

      Hi Simon

      Doxycycline doesn't do anything negative to your immune system ... Other than giving it a helping hand. Although of course, as with all antibiotics it will change your gut flora and fauna, so a bit of probiotic yoghurt or drink may help how you feel there.

      With regard to a steam room etc - lots of people + poor cleaning + humid warm atmosphere = perfect environment for many bugs. Unless your confident about the cleanliness there, to be honest I'm just not sure that I would go. Although given that you're now on doxycycline, maybe now is the best time!

      You would be very unlikely to fight off the bug. Because of the pre-existing damage to your lungs, the bug would just sit they're doing even more damage. That's why we are aggressive with the anti biotics- it helps reduce the damage => reduce infection rates => reduce damage etc.

      Viruses are another matter - generally your body will get rid of them fairly promptly and that is why we generally wait 3-5 days before doing a sample after we feel that as infection is settling in.

      As for when I send in samples, see above for the usual protocol.

      Good luck, hope you feel better soon!

      S

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