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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Pneumonia Infection
Question: My son, XXXXXXX is 35 and has had pneumonia two times in the last 7 months. We sought help through gp and he recommended an infectious disease specialist. Several blood tests were done and they told us that we should seek the help of an immunologist here in NJ. XXXX' last stay with pneumonia was at University of Princeton Hospital at Plainsboro where he stayed for 3 and a half days with all kinds of antibiotics being pumped into him. One of his lungs showed some damage as a result of this last bout of pneumonia. His situation is complicated by obesity and some mental health issues.
I am XXXX' mom and have asked several of my doctors and no one can connect us with an immunologist. I need a medical group that deals with immunological disorders so that my son does not have more episodes of pneumonia. He has had two separate pneumonia shots to improve his situation. He needs to see a specialist. Please help us find one!
I am XXXX' mom and have asked several of my doctors and no one can connect us with an immunologist. I need a medical group that deals with immunological disorders so that my son does not have more episodes of pneumonia. He has had two separate pneumonia shots to improve his situation. He needs to see a specialist. Please help us find one!
Brief Answer:
He might be having bronchiectesis.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Recurrent pneumonia is always challenging.
And yes, you are right about immunity and it's rile in it.
So you should definitely consult immunologist for this.
Another possibility is bronchiectesis.
Any lung insult whether tuberculosis or pneumonia or Pulmonary contusions heal by following mechanism.
1. Fibrosis
2. Calcification
3. Bronchiectesis
4. Rarely complete resolution.
So your son might developed bronchiectesis due to healing from first pneumonia.
You told that he is having some damaged lung due to last bout of pneumonia. This damage can be bronchiectesis. Bronchiectesis is dilated bronchi. It is structural distortion of airway due to healing.
In this dilated bronchi secretions tend to accumulate and cause recurrent pneumonia.
So bronchiectesis must be rule out in his case.
CT thorax with Contrast is needed for this.
In NJ following doctors are practicing immunologist. Dr. France Piconi and Dr. XXXXXXX Shah.
So please let me know, has he undergone CT thorax with Contrast?
Please reply me answer of above asked question, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your son. Thanks.
He might be having bronchiectesis.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Recurrent pneumonia is always challenging.
And yes, you are right about immunity and it's rile in it.
So you should definitely consult immunologist for this.
Another possibility is bronchiectesis.
Any lung insult whether tuberculosis or pneumonia or Pulmonary contusions heal by following mechanism.
1. Fibrosis
2. Calcification
3. Bronchiectesis
4. Rarely complete resolution.
So your son might developed bronchiectesis due to healing from first pneumonia.
You told that he is having some damaged lung due to last bout of pneumonia. This damage can be bronchiectesis. Bronchiectesis is dilated bronchi. It is structural distortion of airway due to healing.
In this dilated bronchi secretions tend to accumulate and cause recurrent pneumonia.
So bronchiectesis must be rule out in his case.
CT thorax with Contrast is needed for this.
In NJ following doctors are practicing immunologist. Dr. France Piconi and Dr. XXXXXXX Shah.
So please let me know, has he undergone CT thorax with Contrast?
Please reply me answer of above asked question, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your son. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
My son has not to the best of my knowledge had a CT thorax with Contrast.
The doctors that you mentioned above --- where are they located? I have not seen them listed in any counties in NJ. Please advise.
The doctors that you mentioned above --- where are they located? I have not seen them listed in any counties in NJ. Please advise.
Brief Answer:
Get done CT thorax with Contrast.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question follow up question on Health Care Magic.
In these circumstances it is better to get CT thorax with Contrast. It is must for recurrent pneumonia patients.
NJ means new Jersey? Is it?
Where are you living?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your son.
Thanks.
Get done CT thorax with Contrast.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question follow up question on Health Care Magic.
In these circumstances it is better to get CT thorax with Contrast. It is must for recurrent pneumonia patients.
NJ means new Jersey? Is it?
Where are you living?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your son.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
My son lives in New XXXXXXX ---- Ewing, NJ to be exact. The doctors that you mention are at least an hour away. Are there any immunologists closer to XXXXXXX NJ? Pulmunologists are not the same as an immunologist are they? XXXXXXX has a pulmonologist in Yardley, Pa. but I believe he has only had an
exray not a CT scan. If you can provide names of immunologists closer to XXXXXXX that would be helpful.
exray not a CT scan. If you can provide names of immunologists closer to XXXXXXX that would be helpful.
Brief Answer:
Pulmonologist can practice as immunologist.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
Pulmonologist or internal medicine specialist or rheumatologist can practice as immunologist,if they have done fellowship in immunology .
Even with clinical experience, some doctors can practice as immunologist.
So better to ask his pulmonologist whether he is practicing immunology or not. I know only these two doctors who are practising immunology.
And better to ask his pulmonologist about near by immunologist, so that he can discuss your son's case with immunologist.
Also discuss about need for CT thorax.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your son. Thanks.
Pulmonologist can practice as immunologist.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on HCM.
I can understand your concern.
Pulmonologist or internal medicine specialist or rheumatologist can practice as immunologist,if they have done fellowship in immunology .
Even with clinical experience, some doctors can practice as immunologist.
So better to ask his pulmonologist whether he is practicing immunology or not. I know only these two doctors who are practising immunology.
And better to ask his pulmonologist about near by immunologist, so that he can discuss your son's case with immunologist.
Also discuss about need for CT thorax.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your son. Thanks.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
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