Haemophilus influenzae

[Stormfever]

I have had an unsuccessfully treated lung infection for a year, with HI(b) being one of the bacteria identified. I have taken five different antibiotics including cotrimoxazole, doxycycline and azithromycin (two of which I've taken two courses of). I have had a lung wash, CT scans, X-rays,

I am prescribed Fostair but do not really understand why I have been diagnosed with asthma as I'm not actually sure what asthma is. I do have bronchiectasis.

My question is, how can I get my consultant to reconsider his asthma diagnosis? I feel it's detracting from my real problem, which is an unsuccessfully treated infection. And, are there any other ABs to which HI(b) is susceptible, given my allergy to penicillin?

[Alberta56]

I can't really help you. I was treated for haemophilus back in 2019-2020 with amoxicillin, which was useless and clarithromycin, which I could not tolerate, then with co-amoxicillin ( I think it was called) which finally did the trick. I've not been troubled by the beastly bug since. I'm not sure about the difference between bronchiectasis and asthma, but I wonder if you are suffering from the aftereffects of the infection. Sometimes, I believe, inflammation caused by the illness can linger when the worst of the illness has passed. Don't quote me on that. I may have got it wrong. You need to talk to a qualified person. I hope you soon find some answers.

[Patk1]

I had 3mths of steroids and doxycycline 100mg twice a day.did eventually clear it.if you've put a specimen in,it'll show what a/b is effective.ru ill with it? I was dreadfully ill x

[Tinker26]

I was the same, eventually I was reffered to hospital and given iv antibiotics as I had pseudomonas and mora Ella, hospital did the job, cleared good luck

[rosco59]

Co-amoxiclav finally got rid of it for me. I now take Azithromycin 3 times weekly long term since January and have been infection free for nearly a year. I hope this helps and you find an answer soon.

[B0xermad]

Hi stormfevever,The consultant usually take the diagnosis from ct,spirometry and pattern of illnesses you have .I also am an influenzae haemophillis bug producer and the only way my flare ups are controlled is by taking azithromycin 3 times a week all year round on top of that amoxicillin and prednisolone when I get a chest infection. I too had asthma diagnosis first before the copd and bronchietasis after several years on and off with chest infection which scarred the lungs .I had a spirometry last week and have had minimal change in 10yrs so I am keeping it under control.

[Pwkav1]

Hi i tried all the antibiotics and steroids thats meant to kill the same bug as yourself. I had mine for 3 years white mass in left lung. Im asthmatic all my life. I got referred to the hospital with a consultant for lung tests which were poor with this bug in my lung. I had 9 months continuous treatment of the stronger azythromycin 500mg. Which eventually got rid of it for me and 3 years later im still well. Hope this info helps you. Wishing you the best. Karen xxx

[Poirette in reply to Pwkav1]

I keep being given minute doses of azithromicin unfortunately as a prophylaxis- but of course a prophylaxis only works if you haven't got the infection.

[Hidden]

The fact that you have what you call an infection (actually a bronchiectasis exacerbation) for so long indicates that your bronchiectasis is not being treated properly. You need a bronch specialist to give you the correct antibiotic in the right dosage for at least 14 days. Which you have not been getting. As you describe what treatment you have had it seems that you are being treated by a general respiratory consultant and they know precious little about it.

If the HI is making you feel ill it probably needs 2 wks IV to knock the HI on the head. Asthma with bronch can make the situation more complex but an asthma diagnosis has no bearing on your situation except that you are not having proper treatment for your bronch. I have bronchiectasis with no asthma and have been taking Fostair inhaler for 15 years. It can help bronch because the steroid element reduces inflammation. Don't forget that the most important aspect to.bronch control is self management and scrupulous emptying of mucus from the lungs.

I hope that you get some proper treatment.for the HI which is usually controllable with the right antibiotic.

[Poirette in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for this. We have only one pulmonary consultant in West Somerset, and that is whom I am seeing. And I can't be referred outside my area 'as the service is available' with the county

[watergazer]

hi. Have bronchiectasis along with asthma overlap. I take fostair as it penetrates deeper into the lungs to help ease inflammation take care x

[Nck1000]

Hi stormfever. I have got a dad with a very similar problem and cannot shift it. Have you made any progress since your original post?

[Poirette in reply to Nck1000]

hi Nick - little progress though I have bought a PEO device on Amazon which helps at clearing mucus. My best to your dad x