So I don't have a definate diagnoses yet, but currently being treated for asthma. A recent CT has suggested possible bronchiectasis but this has been disputed by 2 radiologists, so the CT is not conclusive of bronc. Yet.
Roll on a month or so from that scan, I developed a chest infection (probably my 5th infection in my entire life, I'm 34) mid April. So because I've done extensive research into bronc, Ive learned that when an infection occurs it needs stamping out. So I contacted gp who gave me 7 days amoxicillin and by day 3 my sputum turned from white/yellow to clear. Great. By day 6 I started getting a feeling of illness and it felt like I was breathing out warm air, so contacted gp who asked for a sputum sample (phone consultation). So by time I got round to doing one, I had finished my abx on day 8 and then submitted it. Fast forward 5 day I got a positive result- haemophilus influenzae and was told to take amoxicillin again for 5 days.
I'm just a bit confused by it all as my sputum had cleared by day 7, how can this be a positive test? And how come I'm taking more amoxicillin one week after my last prescription? I currently don't feel symptomatic and my sputum is drying up and becoming less productive.
Is haemophilus influenzae serious? And is it common in asthmatics (i know it is in bronchiectasis).
A lot of questions there, so thanks in advance to anyone who can help answer.
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Lee2k182
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Hi Lee. The clear sputum is a good sign but doesn’t mean all the bugs have been eliminated, & as your sputum test grew HI, obviously some were still present, & shown to be sensitive to amoxicillin (which is often very effective in treating HI.)
So your gp has extended the course to see it off. I presume it’s 500mg x 3 daily? A 7 day course of abs isn’t recommended for bronch anyway, usually it’s 14 days or, if the growth is light, 10. So if you’re given 7 days again, diplomatically ask your gp to make it 14. Antibiotic treatment in non-cf bronch should be the same as for cystics. Our lungs aren’t normal, there’s mucus present, so it takes time for these drugs to work on us.
For some people HI can indeed be a serious problem as they can become colonised with it. However this is unlikely if your bronch is mild. But don’t hesitate to contact your gp again if you don’t feel it’s gone.
My results were "moderate growth haemophilus influenzae".
As I said, I'm not officially diagnosed with bronc, I'm currently being treated for adult asthma, but I know that could change, seeing though my CT is not crystal clear.
It's strange because although I was symptomatic 2 weeks ago, I'm not now as the 7 day course has worked, but I have been given another course of abx.
I asked if I needed to submit another sputum sample at the end of this course and was told no. So why take this 5 day course if I'm not symptomatic anymore and I won't be getting a follow up to see if it's worked!? Crazy.
I keep reading that this is hard to get rid of. How would I know of it has become colonised?
Well, you’d start feeling ill again pretty soon. It takes a while to become colonised so don’t panic. I know your dx isn’t definite yet but there’s no downside to your gp treating you as a bronch. A few more abs is a much better option than failing to adequately treat an infection. I know what peege means about amoxi but it’s often the best one for HI. Her idea of contacting the helpline is an excellent one!
Also I know one of our members cofdrop-UK (who has severe bronch but manages it really well) has had an ongoing problem with HI for several years, so I hope she won’t mind me tagging her into your post, as she may have some good advice for you.
It would’ve been reassuring to have an end-of-course sputum test but it’s better really to do it if you start getting symptoms again. You could submit it too early & get a false negative
Ha, I started my reply ages ago but got hooked on to t'telly🤪 - you are the more knowledgeable person I was thinking of so thanks for stepping in H 👍
• in reply to
I have 'mild' bronchiectasis, never feels mild when one is having an exacerbation. I have been colonised with haemophilus since early on in the diagnosis. My bronchiectasis specialist told me that they don't treat the haemophilus infection unless it is symptomatic because its there all the time.
Hi stones, thanks for your reply. How long have you had this for? How long have you had bronc also?
I'm hoping it is not colonised for me, my Dr is pretty useless tbh, I just have to wait 2 month in order to speak to my resp consultant.
I've been reading that haemophilus influenzae can be a normal part of the upper respiratory flora in healthy adults that live in the nose and throat. This has me thinking that when I gave my sputum sample in, I wasn't symptomatic and couldn't get in phlegm from my chest so, as gross as it sounds, I just snorted it from my nose/sinuses/oropharyngeal area.... I don't know if this could have given a false reading...? 🤔
I've had a diagnosis of bronchiectasis for about 6 years but have had it longer than that actually. GP's don't seem to recognise it might be a cause of repeated chest infections and therefore investigate. The haemophilus has been there since diagnosis. To be honest it's quite rare for anything to be cultured from me when I feel I have an infection, but my specialist says this is normal and to take the antibiotics anyway, but always in a high dose for at least two weeks.
You're right in saying that haemophilus is in the upper respiratory tract in healthy adults.
The bug that really causes trouble is pseudomonas, and that tends to get into the lungs of people with bronchiectasis. I know I had this once some years ago and suspect I am colonised because once you get it it's difficult or impossible to fully get rid of.
Tell me about it, I don't have the greatest relationship with my gp practice as I've pushed and pushed for things with them that I think they just no longer like me lol. But I've been right in doing so as things are being found all the time.
I have had haemophilus influenza several times over 10yrs ... Usually treated with an antibiotic. Think it probably is present always but just flares up now & again. Good luck! 👍😊
Hi, I'm hoping that someone more knowledgeable will come on soon. I think that haemophilus influenzae is not a common, easy to eradicate bacteria. Therefore I'm surprised that you were given amoxicillin for such a short time. Personally I always refuse it as it has never ever got rid of a lung infection- but that's me.
Two things, one write haemophilus influenzae in the search bar and two, call the BLF help line in the morning between 9-5 (Monday - Friday). You can also email the help ,one giving your co tact details and copy of your above post but sorry, don't know the address.
On the search you'll find older posts with their replies to gather more information.
All the best and please continue with the amoxy until its finished. P
PS ,look to the right (scroll down on a phone) to the box titled 'Related Posts' , there's info there. P
If you google something like “bronchiectasis management” I’m sure you’ll find lots of references to 14 days being the recommended length of treatment for exacerbations. Most gps are very willing to help us but, unfortunately, woefully ill-informed about bronch. Here’s just one source (scroll to page 6 “Treatment for Chest Infections”) europeanlung.org/assets/fil...
Just so you know, there is no diagnosis of bronc on my file, or even asthma yet as I'm still under investigation so it's understandable that I wasn't given a 14 day course. I only know about the bronc because I've seen my CT report and I'm waiting for my follow up with my consultant. But I still think it's odd the way it's being managed for this instance.
I get an infection with coloured muco-purulent phlegm- get given abx for 7 days
Told to do a sputum sample, which was done on day 3 but by day 6 I was told the sample couldn't be tested cos Dr filled the form in wrong. So had to do another
Phlegm becomes clear, start feeling better by day 7.
2nd sputum sample went in on day 8, at this point I had no symptoms. Got results by day 13 which was positive so got more and on day 14.
So it's been a week since last abx, I feel fine but Dr wants to give another course and without checking sputum at the end of it. Makes no sense. Surely 5 days on abx after a week off isn't gonna do anything?
Hi Lee2k182,I also have haemophillis influenzae on regular basis ,I have bronchiectasis and was cultured a sputum sample which showed it was what my body grew as an infection and yes amoxicillin 500mg for at least 10 days is my regular go to medication, the bugs hang around and can present themselves again if I only have a 7day course and twice I have been admitted to hospital with pneumonia due to going over 10days and became borderline sepsis. It is a fine line from regular chest infection to pneumonia so a ct scan proved I had bronchiectasis 6yrs ago.please don't ignore it,I was 54yrs old at the time and worked in a school which is a hotbed of germs .I hope this helps
Thank you for your reply BOxermad (I'm also a boxing fan, if that's what your name means 😁)
I didnt really get many symptoms from it to be honest, just had a wet chest. I didn't even have an involuntary cough, I just coughed to clear chest when I felt the phlegm. I produced very small amounts of white/yellow sputum and it was only because I MIGHT have bronc I asked for abx.
Ha ha a Boxer dog fan lol , I hope you get a diagnosis to confirm what you have soon
Hello Lee and welcome. I have been watching this thread and the good advice that our members have been giving. However, my heart sinks that as is very usual with bronchiectasis ( and I am pretty sure that it will turn out to be so) you have been very much left on your own to struggle with presumptions, no definitive diagnosis and the ignorance of the medical profession. I am 70 in May. I have lived with and managed bronch since I was 3.
I’m afraid that you need to rewind and start from the beginning. First of all, GPs know virtually nothing about it. Unless they have definite instructions from a bronchiectasis specialist they tend to treat it as copd, giving the wrong antibiotics in insufficient doses for too short a time.
Most general respiratory consultants also know very little about it. They do not have the additional training or experience to manage its complexity. Unfortunately, radiographers have been known to interpret my scans as pneumonia which has sent my bronch specialist into paroxysms of giggles.
Personal management of the condition is every bit as important as drugs in controlling it. This means scrupulously emptying the lungs of mucus every single day.
Haemophilus Influenzae is probably the most common bacteria which gets into the fluid in the lungs of bronchs. There are others, including our friend pseudomonas, which most of us lifers have as a permanent friend.
Becoming obsessed with achieving negative lab readings for any of these bugs is a waste of time in bronch. Labs can only pick up the bacteria when there are sufficient numbers to read. As they lurk in the fluid in the lungs, they are usually just sitting there, waiting to have a party. The aim with bronch is to have the right antibiotic in the high enough dose for at least 14 days in order to the reduce the numbers to the level where they do not show up in the lab. At the same time it is crucially important that the mucus is removed from the lungs because this is where they sit and multiply in the lovely warm swimming pools.
It is obvious that you have not had the correct antibiotic treatment and do not seem to have had advice on daily management.
Please check That your respiratory consultant is a bronch specialist. I suspect that yours is an asthma or general respiratory consultant. So many people are misdiagnosed with asthma or only asthma when they have bronch.
Only a true bronchiectasis specialist can properly diagnose you and decide on treatment. Bronch changes all of the time, as does the treatment. Look for a bronch specialist in your area. They are usually at big teaching hospitals. Take the name to your GP and insist on a referral. Although GPs are reluctant to admit that they do not know what they are doing with bronch they are usually grateful to have the direction of the specialist. Mine have a 20 year relationship with my specialist and cooperate beautifully..
I’m afraid that with bronch we have to be very pro active in our own interests , vociferous in sourcing the right treatment and impeccable with our personal management.
Believe me, when I say I have researched bronc to the point where I know more about it than my GP. Currently I'm assuming that bronc is what I have, and you're not wrong when you say I'm being left alone in this. Because I currently don't have a title on my medical records as of yet, my GP just won't listen to me. As for my resp consultant, I see her only every 3 month and I've tried contacting her and left several messages with no answer. I just keep telling myself that she's busy with the current pandemic but at least one acknowledgement would be nice, even it's just a message through her secretary.
I've tried to be Pro active in getting a bronc specialist, I found one and spoke to the bronc nurse specialist on steps I need to take on referral which starts with the GP. Guess what? Gp spent more time scalding me about knowing my CT report before speaking to my consultant than listening to me about getting the ball rolling for a referral to the bronc specialist. This is because it's not official on my file. Even the bronc nurse I was talking to said all CT reports that suggest bronc are null and void until their specialists look at them but without that referral I can't get them to look.
It's so frustrating as I'd like to start treatment and keep this condition as close to normal for as long as I can. And if there is a chance to completely get rid of this haemophilus influenzae, then it's obvious the earlier treatment starts the better.
It's also frustrating that I don't have a diagnosis. I'd like to just get told that I have xxxxx and be done with it. I still hold onto a bit of hope that it is asthma and this infection is just a coincidence hence my question in original post.
I read that 75% of healthy people have haemophilus influenzae in their nose and throat that cause no harm. When I gave my sputum sample, my entire specimen came from my nose/sinuses/nasopharyngeal in several big snorts (gross I know) as I couldn't produce anything from my chest. Could that have given the positive reading? As i do not have any symptoms now.
It's one big frustrating circle isn't it. Basically because your GP is a non cooperative idiot. I wouldn't worry too much about the lab result. It is more important how you feel, how much mucus you cough up and what colour it is. If you are not happy get back to the GP and insist on a referral to a bronch specialist for a proper diagnosis. Don't let the GP tell you off and don't let them refuse.They are failing to treat you properly at present and not listening to you. Amoxyl just isn't finishing the job. They give it out because it is cheap as chips but in many cases, esp in bronch it can be as useless as smarties. I do hope that you get proper care.
In November 2015 I developed Haemophilus Influenzae which developed into community acquired virul pnuemonia which took me to respiratory failure a ventillator and 19 days in ICU and a month in hospital. So yes I would say it is serious. This Xmas saw me back at the same hospital with 2 heart attacks and bacterial pnuemonia. All part of the fun called COPD.
Oh lord 19 days is such a long time, I hope you're doing much better now. Hopefully I can keep mine at bay or get rid of it completely. Fingers crossed.
I wouldn't compare yourself to halkentine47 who has copd which is v different and has had a very unfortunate set of circumstances. Viral pneumonia is a different condition to a haemophilus bacterial infection and it is very bad luck that he had these together with 2 heart attacks.
Hi Lee, yes its classed as one of those infections thats very hard to get rid of.i was under the hospital for mine. Its common in asthmatics. It ruled my life for 3 years. Finally got rid with a macrolide antibiotic called azithromycin. 500mg for 9 months. Ive been free of infection for about a year now which is great. No more sputum. My asthmas easier to control now. Hooe this info helps. Karen xxx
Oh good grief, 3 years!? that's certainly a chest infection you'll never forget. I'm glad things are more positive for you now. Fingers crossed it's gone for good.
Is it just asthma you suffer from? It seems this bug is attracted to bronchiectasis sufferers so far. I'm technically asthmatic but now thinking bronc seen as though I have this bug. But if there are other asthma people out there with it, maybe there's hope for me yet lol.
I won't get a definite diagnoses until June when I see consultant, who will make the decision. I've only had 2/3 minor chest infections in my entire adult life. 1st 2 year ago that triggered my potential asthma and this one now, maybe a chest cold a few years ago. I've never had abx for chest either. So I'm hoping this is a coincidence and will never come back after.
I was tested for the bronch and told i didnt have it. Asked if its common and she said very common for asthmatics but a bugger to get rid of. I was very ill having for so long but now im 52 i have a lot of allergies i didnt have all my life. Getting worse as older. I gave a hell of a lot of sputum smaples in and it was in bottom of my left lung showed up as white mass on screen. My sputum was green or yellow for a long time. Now theres no sign of it and im breathing much better. I feel ive been cured. Hope you get somewhere with it all. Take care and stay safe. Karen xxx
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Haemophilus influenzae
Haemphilus influenzae 
Bronchiectasis
Ongoing chest problems
