Asthma and pneumonia

[1koolmimi]

I am having a second bout of pneumonia in the last 10 months. Is there a correlation between asthma and pneumonia? Does anyone know how I can prevent another episode. It takes me 4 to 6 weeks to return to normal.

[ldrunner]

I first got an asthma diagnosis after a bout of pneumonia. Once you've cleared up from your illness you should see a pulmonologist and get lung testing to see if you have any airway issues that could be causing repeated pneumonias.

[1koolmimi in reply to ldrunner]

Thank you. I saw my pulmonologist yesterday and that is the plan.

[Purplecrow]

I had the same experience in 2017. After much testing and doctors, the pulmonologist said it is likely a sinus infection was the culprit. The sinus infection was not fully extinguished when the first pneumonia bout was treated. It continued to percolate behind the scenes, until finally another bout of pneumonia developed (5 months later).

The only symptom of the sinus infection was a change in hearing. It sounded like my head had an echo, like the sound of a ripe watermelon when thumped.

Diagnosis, the pulmonologist said the sinus infection "kindled" the pneumonia, (via drainage?).

Finally, after super drug abx, all cleared, including my watermelon head.

I remain paranoid about developing further pneumonia, and indeed, just past May, I was ill with flu, and developed severe asthma. Pneumonia did not develop, but even today, I have appts with asthma specialist, pulmonologist, and G.p.

All this is complicated by, ( contributed to...) by Polymyalgia Rheumatica, for which I use daily Prednisone, for past 6 years.

Looking for correlations and answers.