Haemophilus influenzae

[Waterfall1950]

Apparently I have the Haemophilus influenzae bug in my sputum samples and it is showing as resistant to most antibiotics. I have been given most of them and failed to clear it. I am currently quite ill with a flare up (I have Bronchiectasis) and am on double dose of Doxycycline. My last sample showed it to be sensitive to this. But I have tried this before and not cleared it. Has anybody managed to clear it. Is there anything else that can help? 🙁

[cofdrop-UK]

So sorry you are struggling with one of my regular pets HI, although I have to say not recently (touch wood). I was colonised with it and they tried nebulised Colomycin but I was intolerant and ended up in hospital. Then nebulised Tobramycin but still became increasingly more breathless but not as drastic as with Colo. Nebulised abs used as a prophelactic medication works for lots of people though. Azithromycin taken 1 3 times a week is often used as a prophelactic. Again I am intolerant but many people find great benefit with fewer exacerbations.

Well to the HI infection at present. I hope the Doxycyline eradicates the HI for you. Not sure what you mean by ‘double dose’ though. The usual dose for exacerbation in bronchiectasis would be 100mg twice a day.for 10 days.

I’ve had this problem before where the bacteria shows to be sensitive to an antibiotic in the lab, but my lungs have other ideas.

I hope this course of abs do the trick for you Waterfall.

Love cx

[Waterfall1950]

Thank you for your reply cofdrop. Yes that’s what I’m taking 100mg twice a day. I said double up because I usually take 100mg once a day as a prophylactic. It does seem to keep the exacerbation away but does not clear the beastly bug. I stop taking the prophylactic in the summer because of the sun sensitivity of doxy. And I usually feel much healthier. So I suppose that’s why I’ve got this infection now. I’ve never had nebulised abs. Do you find that better than oral? Thanks again for your time.

[cofdrop-UK in reply to Waterfall1950]

I didn’t tolerate the nebulised abs I used, nor could I tolerate the Azithromycin. I don’t think I would like to take doxy personally as a prophilactic as it is one of the few abs I can take as a treatment.

If the doxy doesn’t do the trick, maybe you could ask your con re nebulised. I guess it’s a balance really orals are harder from a gastro point of view but much easier and quicker to take. Nebusised goes direct to the lungs and so can be given in higher doses.

Maybe your con will consider IVs to get you feeling better first.

Hope you feel better soon.

Cx

[Lina-61]

Hi Waterfall1950

I have been found to have this bug in my latest phlegm sample and been given the same antibiotics 2 lot 2 100mg to be taken on first which I did then 1 100mg for 6 days just feel tired with it all not seeing a lung consultant till September I have been diagnosed with brochiectatis as well how are you doing.

Lina

[Waterfall1950 in reply to Lina-61]

Hi Lina that’s the dosage I am on normally but I am on 2 a day for two weeks at the moment. This seems to be a nasty little bug to shift. I’m not seeing my consultant till the autumn either. Tho he has sent a new plan of action involving nebulising to my gp who is on holiday till Monday. I’m still quite poorly in bed and feeling fed up. 🙁

[shouty in reply to Waterfall1950]

I know that feeling well. Was so pleased this Bronchie managed to be bug free all winter then month ago flare up happens do back on Doxy. Awful pains in chest moan moan

[Lina-61]

Hi Waterfall

Thanks I was on the same dosage for the first sample after having my Spirometry test done as I was losing weight but luckily haven't got COPD results from 4 years ago not changed much then I had to supply another sample after 1 lot of antibiotics just fed up of this as I am not getting anywhere with gps need to find out why I'm picking these bugs up if it is bronchiectasis feel like ringing ambulance hubby not interested ☹still losing weight my sister not happy as we are clearing my mums house out.

I don't want to stay in bed

Lina

[Waterfall1950 in reply to Lina-61]

Oh my goodness please be careful. Don’t overdo it. It is such a problem trying to clear these bugs. But I just keep plugging in trying to take care of myself. I’m looking to go abroad for the winter as we live on a boat and it’s quite hard in the winter. Please take care of yourself. Stay in bed if you need to. I know, I hate it too. X

[Bella395 in reply to Lina-61]

Lina-61 - have you had blood tests to check your immune system? OH has asthma/bronchiectasis and has been having virtually back to back infections for a long time. He has been diagnosed with Panhypogammaglobulinemia.

[Lina-61 in reply to Bella395]

No no blood tests done Bella395

Lina

[Lina-61]

Thanks I'm getting in touch with my gp's surgery to see if I can get an appointment to discuss why I'm getting these bugs all the time as I said my first appointment with consultant not till September and I can't find one private local but will rest hubby asked me if I wanted to go out and I said no feel so cold maybe when I get my inheritance money I can look someone private up hope you get better soon.

Lina

[Bella395 in reply to Lina-61]

Good lung clearance is very important in the prevention of infection because the phlegm is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. The microbiologist at our local hospital said that antibiotics can clear the infection but it is then vital to keep bugs at bay by clearing the lungs of mucous regularly and effectively.

Have you discussed the various techniques with your physiotherapist? Do you clear your lungs regularly and is it effective? What medication, techniques and devices are you using to help you get the sputum up?

[Lina-61 in reply to Bella395]

Hi Bella395

I don't see a physiotherapist my appointment with a lung consultant isn't till September I have do medication, techniques or devices my doctor won't give me anything till I see a lung consultant I'm at my wits end with anxiety not getting anywhere

Lina1961

[Bella395 in reply to Lina-61]

I am sorry that you have to wait so long to see a consultant. Could you telephone the secretary to ask for a cancellation or earlier appointment?

Would the GP refer you to the physiotherapist? There is no reason why you shouldn’t see one for breathing/clearance advice prior to the hospital appointment. It will help the consultant to know that you are receiving help with this. Clearance is key to keeping infection free and at a guess this could be why you are getting repeat infections.

There is lots on the Internet about how to clear your lungs but perhaps it would be useful to contact BLF for advice.

First off is breathing exercises and huffing.

Next, devices such as the Flutter valve and Positive ExpiratoryPressure (PEP) device can be enormously helpful. Some can be prescribed but don’t know which. My OH bought the Flutter many years ago and it has been worth its weight in gold. He bought the Aerosure PEP device and that has been useful too.

Mucolytics e.g. Carbocysteine are useful to some people. Your GP can prescribe it. Nebulized saline may also be helpful. OH has nebulized hypertonic (7%) saline to make the mucous easier to shift.

Hope you soon get help and can be helped to manage the problem effectively.

[Lina-61 in reply to Bella395]

I spoke to BLF and they advised me to ask to gp to prescribe the meds to help clear my mucus but as I said he is reluctant to prescribe anything until I see a lung consultant and I'm constant pain with my back as I have lost a lot of weight and on antidepressants for pain think next stop is to ring an ambulance tomorrow only way to get anything sorted I think thanks Bella395

Lina

[Bella395 in reply to Lina-61]

That sounds like a sensible solution. I hope that you are kept in hospital and given the correct treatment so that you will soon feel better.

[Lina-61 in reply to Bella395]

Maybe I will see a consultant

Lina

[katie666]

Hi. Doxycycline normally shifts h. influenzae for me - as far as I know. I take two capsules initially then one a day for 2 weeks. I have bronchiectasis so my lungs are never entirely bug free but I do start to feel better, cough less and sputum gradually returns to it's normal colour after about 8-10 days.

[Sparkywoo]

I have Bronchiectasis and HiB is what gets me too. Nothing shifted it completely until my consultant said let’s try something that shouldn’t work and it did! He prescribed 2 weeks of 500mg Amoxycillin which clears the worst followed by 3 weeks of Azithromycin - oh and usually the dreaded Pred to start with too. It works for me completely clears my lungs - until the next time!

[puffed]

I was told after constant sputum tests I may be colonising this bug. Was prescribed moxyfloxicine. Had side effects but it did clear it.

[Pwkav1]

I have given so many sputum tests with H.I still there after months of Doxycycline. Had a heavy growth of it. Was on single dose. Hospital had doubled this for 15 days so 200mg a day 15 days then Azythromycine 500mg for 3 months. Just gave another sample in after 15 days Doxy and told to come off Azythromycine for a week and take another week of Doxy as H.I still there but told today its light growth so looks like doxys worked a bit. Then to go back on Azythromycine. Getting fed up. This been going on about 2 yrs now. This is such a hard bug to shift. Hospital appt on Friday to show me techniques how to clear mucous.