covid (any benefit to azithromycin)

[PW_R]

I posted at the weekend about hoping to secure anti virals as I had a significant exposure to covid. As expected I did get covid & feel very ill now. As also expected it’s unlikely I’ll get Paxlovid, despite some strong words with my less than competent GP. She has sent across a script for Azithromycin. Despite being viral, can covid increase the likelihood of a nasty bacterial infection? Is there any benifit to taking them?

*I have quite symptomatic chronic bronchitis (not copd yet as not under .70 - I’m sure it’s only a matter of time given the quantity of gunk, wheeze, tightness, constant fatigue - covid aside).

[Troilus]

My understanding is yes - covid 19 can cause bacterial infection.

[Jaybird19]

the bacteria infection often follow viral nfections so you have to get through the viral infection first . did you get a positive covid test ? . if so go back to gp. thank her sweetly for the antibacterial and try asking for antiviral again

alternatively try a&e with positive test result

good luck

[peege]

YES! Any viral infection laying down mucus inside warm moist lungs can turn bacterial needing antibiotics. People get pneumonia when they get covid - not all of course. Taking the Azithromycin as directed will be for helping to prevent bacteria/infection forming. Gotta get rid of the gunk!

[O2Trees]

Yes, agreed. A viral chest infection can so easily lead to a very serious bacterial infection, and without wanting to unduly alarm you, could cause a hospitalisation. I imagine you have been given the azithromycin script as a prophylactic, that's unless your GP thinks you already have contacted a bacterial infection. Either way I would definitely take it if it were me.

[B0xermad]

Hi azithromycin will help as will acetylcysteine clear the mucus,when I got covid in December I was given antivirals by 111 service as I have bronchiectasis and had been on prednisolone in the past 8 weeks .that was the only reason I was able to get them although they suppressed the virus it came back 3weeks later even though I isolated.

[Morrison10 in reply to B0xermad]

sad you went down with covid, and it persisted for few months. Hope you’re now totally clear, have had another jab or other treatment. Best wishes, Jean x

[B0xermad in reply to Morrison10]

No more jabs since September and back to normal thank you

[Tdster43]

Quite a complex one! No obvious role for azithromycin in preventing COVID worsening (in the Recovery trial and in hospitalised COVID pts) Agree that quite often COVID is linked with (as per flu etc) a later 2ndry bacterial infection. The access to antivirals is via a specialist CMDU- basically nice ID/ respiratory doctors who get told the background history and decide the risk/benefits of antivirals.

Therefore if COPD or bronchiectasis you may often get offered anti virals....

gov.uk/government/publicati...

might help...asking or finding out via NHS 111

[Anton_Fox]

i was better yes it helps bur works in comlex wth others