Exacerbation

[Osha]

Can anyone tell me if you have an exacerbation without infection do you need antibiotics This is for broncheactesis

[Hidden]

In bronchiectasis an exacerbation is when the bacteria which live in the pools of fluid in our lungs multiply to a point where they make us feel poorly, increase the amount, thicken the texture and change the colour of the mucus. This is when we need an antibiotic which is the right one for whichever bug is in there, in a high enough dose, usually for 2 weeks or by IV if oral antibiotics no longer work for us. In effect an exacerbation is an infection.

When you say an exacerbation without an infection do you mean that you have all the symptoms as above but a lab test has come back negative? I don’t trust lab tests, too often they are unreliable in bronch. If you have those symptoms it would be a good idea to ring your consultant’s secretary and get their advice. I’m afraid that GPs know very little about bronch and need the help of a bronch specialist to be able to treat you properly. Ihope that helped a bit.

[Patchpoppy2 in reply to Hidden]

I agree Littlepom, I've had many flare-ups given a sputum sample but nothing came back. My consultant was very unhappy as knew something was wrong. It's happened many a time. I have a lot of doubts about the Labs ability to do this.

[stone-UK]

Hi

All my exacerbation are non infection, usually caused by a trigger. If i am aware I can remove my self from the situation and use my Ventolin.

If it results in a hospital admission depend on severity. Treatment can be nebuliser 2/3 daily or steroid injections.

Rescue pack of no use in such a situation.

[Osha in reply to stone-UK]

Thank you stone I have been using ventolin more often hoping that it will help

[Hidden in reply to stone-UK]

Forgive me if I am wrong Stone but do you have copd and not bronchiectasis?

[stone-UK in reply to Hidden]

Hi

COPD, the question was ( exacerbation without infection )

[Hidden in reply to stone-UK]

Yes, which would say copd but then Osha said ‘for Broncheactisis’( spelled wrong). There is some confusion here as to what Osha actually has. As you know, bronch is very different to copd as are our exacerbations and so without knowing exactly what Osha has it is difficult for us to help them.

[Osha in reply to Hidden]

I have broncheactesis and copd

[Hidden in reply to Osha]

That would explain having an exacerbation with no infection. That is the copd exacerbating not the bronchiectasis.

[Hidden]

Do you only have bronchiectasis as your post says or do you have asthma or copd with it?

[Patchpoppy2]

I have bronchiectasis and asthma. I too have had flare-ups for no specific reason, no infection present. I would speak to your consultant(if you have one) and ask the antibiotics..I usually get prescribed amoxicillin to take for 2 weeks.

[bobbyfloyd]

I have exacerbations especially in the hot weather, been to doctors but as i had no infections i was told to try and keep calm as it will pass, this i do but they are not nice when they come, read up on them to see if that helps, all the best

[Osha in reply to bobbyfloyd]

Thanks bobbyfloyd. I’ll read up on this it’s so annoying I’m breathing like an old nag just now

[bobbyfloyd in reply to Osha]

just hopes it helps, when my chest is really bad my family call me darth vador, the little beggars