Fungus infection in sputum Check ???

[carolg1]

I have just got results back from nurse after giving a sputum sample because I am bringing up, vomiting and coughing absolutely loads of mucus, I phoned today for results the message I was given is no antibiotics required as nothing grew it was fungal ??? thats it has anyone ever had or heard of this x

[johnwr]

Hello carolg1

I'm sorry that I didn't get back to you back in January, but in honesty I could not add anything to what we had already said.

However, it now seems that the medical people are at last getting a handle on what might be your problem. You should get you GP to chase this and prove yes or no definitely on the possibility of fungal infection. I've found a couple of articles that explain things well, but they are quite technical, so you may need patience reading them. As always, if you find something that needs explaining, ask. Either myself or someone else on here will dig for the answers.

Links are:

patient.co.uk/doctor/Fungal...

patient.co.uk/doctor/Asperg...

If you can get a solid diagnosis of your disease, you will feel better, and I'm sure many here would be pleased for you to at least have a direction to push in.

For now, best wishes to you and your family.

breathe easy

johnwr

[peege]

Hi, I've recently had this too. Aspergillis is probably the fungus. (Google but don't look at the American info).

You need to go back to the GP. Mine asked me to do two more sputum tests to confirm whether or not fungus was present. It was. Referral to consultant who won't entertain the possibility of Aspergillosis until he starts from the very beginning which will take months..

So far he tells me it's poorly controlled asthma!

What about all the infections and 5 x pneumonia over last two years? I asked. He chuckled and said that they aren't infections they're viruses!

I was furious as was my GP. It may not be aspergillis but if it is then it needs treating asap.

There is no cure, condition is managed with anti fungals and steroids. A CTscan will diagnose. People with asthma and cystic fibrosis are prone to it. (If only they told us what to avoid)!

Good luck and please go back to GP or better still, a different one. P

[sassy59]

Funny you should mention fungus as Pete has been diagnosed with candida from a sputum sample. He has a prescription that he should put in but has not yet done so. I will look into that and google the drug. Pete has lots of mucus which he brings up with the help of his nebuliser and mucoclear twice a day. He has probiotics capsules to take but I think he may need more help than this. I thought it was the antibiotics causing the problems but maybe not. The plot thickens! xxx

[bobshir in reply to sassy59]

have a look here i think it may help..Bob..candidayeastinfection.com/c...

never give up...

[sassy59 in reply to bobshir]

Thanks for the link bobshir and will look into it for Pete. There is always something! We will never give up. xxx

[billyp]

Hello

You can get candida (thrush)for lots of reasons,

in our cases it could be from inhalers ,

so best to wash your mouth out after using them

if it is thrush you dont need to see doctor

chemist will tell you and treat it,

hope this helps and good look

[sassy59 in reply to billyp]

You are so right but the doctor at the hospital said she thinks that Pete has his candida infection from Pulmicourt which he uses in his nebuliser so he should have a good rinse out after that maybe. He does not use inhalers as such. Thanks for the info and good luck to you too.xx

[billyp in reply to sassy59]

The candida i got was from radio active iodine used to nuke my

over-active thyroid for want of a better word,

but i looked it up and nebuiser,s and inhales can do the same,

[Hidden]

do sputum tests usually test for fungus or just for an infection. I am still more breathless and cough uo more mucus after a fungal throat infection - so wondering if the sputum test would have tested for fungus or not ?

[sassy59 in reply to Hidden]

Fungus should show up I would have thought but check with your GP juliekay. I thought Pete was having a sputum test to check if he had an infection and it came back as candida. Stay well. xx

[johnwr]

From what I've been reading, it appears that the usual lab tests would only indicate the presence of a bacterial or viral infection. A specific test has to be arranged to identify a fungal infection. This link gives some decent info:

healthline.com/health/sputu...

Hope this helps

breathe easy

johnwr

[Hidden in reply to johnwr]

thanks, johnwr, that helps a lot.

I will ring and ask what was tested for tomorrow - and if not fungus then I will ask for it to be retested. My, I do love this site with folk like you - informed and generous x