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Is Lung Infiltrate In Upper Right Lobe An Infection?

Posted on Wed, 6 Jan 2016

Question: Hi i have lung infiltrates in my upper right lobe lung , specialist says it an infection and will
See me in 6 weeks is it ok to leave ?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No, you should definitely get done sputum culture and Bronchoscopy.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
No, you should not leave these infiltration without diagnosis and treatment.
Chances of infection is more. And without doing anything, your infection and infiltration will most worsen.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done
1. Clinical examination of respiratory system
2. Sputum culture and sensitivity report.
3. Bronchoscopy and XXXXXXX (bronchoalveolar lavage) analysis.
All these will help you in diagnosing infection. This will also guide you about effective antibiotic treatment.
So don't leave this as it is, consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (13 minutes later)

I have had all this done that unhave mentioned but they failed to find any infection , lungs sound clear to doctor . Breathing test is normal. I an very nervous about this whole oldeal . The infiltrates have been there for 3 months and no change :( been diagnosed with whooping cough and tested positive to legionnaires antibodies in my blood . Wish this wiuld just all clear up but doesnt seem
To be . What possibly could it be ?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Have you ever undergone CT thorax?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Since these lesions are stable over 3 months, no need to worry much for this.
Upper lobe infiltration on chest x ray is can be due to fibrosis. And for this CT scan is needed.
So please let me know whether your had CT scan or not? Also tell me whether bronchoscopic evaluation (appearance of lobes) was normal or not?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (15 minutes later)

Hi i have had 3 ct scans over the 3 months , area has stayed the same , had the bronchoscopic and doctor said things looked normal from what he xould , ct scan saying inflammorory changes upper right lobe

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you smoke?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
So we need to think of uncommon etiology in your case.
Upper lobe infiltration (stable) are seen in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), smokers, occupational lung disease.
So please let me know
1. Do you smoke?
2. Do you have pets or having animal exposure?
3. Where do you work?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (9 hours later)

I used to smoke but gave ip 6 years ago after smoking for 12 years . We have a farm and have cows, chickens , and rabbits . I dont work Iam at home with the kids used tonwork as a dental nurse 6 years ago in australia

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry much for this.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
You were smoker but your PFT s are stable and normal, so possibility of smoking related lung injury is also less.
You are having pets but not having chronic exposure, so possibility of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is also less.
You are doing only household work, so possibility of occupational lung disease is also very less.
So no need to worry for your upper lobe infiltration.
They are not indicating any disease.
Hope I have solved your query. If you are not having further queries, then please close the conversation and rate my answer.
You can ask me directly on bit.ly/askdrkaushalbhavsar.
Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

How long can it take for infiltrates to clear up ?

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This is not predictable.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
But honestly speaking, this is not predictable.
One can not say that, this will definitely clear in 3 months or 6 months.
Actually if these infiltrates are stable (not increasing) over time then no need to worry for them.
These are mostly fibrotic lesions. We need to get done follow up for 1 year. If they remain stable over 1 year then no follow ups or nothing should be done. They will remain as it is through out the life.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar