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Suggest Treatment For Severe Chest Infection In An Elderly Patient
Question: Yes please
My dad age 84 very healthy and active physically and mentally got chest infection 10 days ago
Went to Dr
Got antibiotic
No real improvement
Returned to Dr on Monday was prescribed stringer anti biotics
Within 24 hours he complained of stuff joints and General unwell was
Early this morning he had to be taken to hospital
Where they diagnosed severe chest infection and possible sepsis?
After two CT scabs a slight shadow appeared on left lung
They followed with MRI
No further evidence appeared
They moved him from A& E to a ward but within half an hour he was deteriorating, allergic reaction, sweating, high temperature, very blotchy. He
Couldn't breath so had to be ventilated
It was very scarey
Then they moved him to ICU
Where they did a Lumber puncture
Apparently earlier X-rays, scans and Mris did not provide necessiary info
They performed a lumber puncture
But so far no info or results
He's a fighter but we can not get a straight answer 18 hours later
Can you advise what next steps can be? Is there a treatment or do we need to accept he has had a bleed ?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
We are totally at a loss
My dad age 84 very healthy and active physically and mentally got chest infection 10 days ago
Went to Dr
Got antibiotic
No real improvement
Returned to Dr on Monday was prescribed stringer anti biotics
Within 24 hours he complained of stuff joints and General unwell was
Early this morning he had to be taken to hospital
Where they diagnosed severe chest infection and possible sepsis?
After two CT scabs a slight shadow appeared on left lung
They followed with MRI
No further evidence appeared
They moved him from A& E to a ward but within half an hour he was deteriorating, allergic reaction, sweating, high temperature, very blotchy. He
Couldn't breath so had to be ventilated
It was very scarey
Then they moved him to ICU
Where they did a Lumber puncture
Apparently earlier X-rays, scans and Mris did not provide necessiary info
They performed a lumber puncture
But so far no info or results
He's a fighter but we can not get a straight answer 18 hours later
Can you advise what next steps can be? Is there a treatment or do we need to accept he has had a bleed ?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
We are totally at a loss
Brief Answer:
Possibility of multi organ failure due to septic shock is more in his case.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
By his history and description, possibility of multi organ failure due to sepsis and septic shock is more in his case.
He might be having severe, resistant infection in the lungs which is now spreading in the brain via blood.
This causes septic shock and all the symptoms.
Best treatment is identification of causative organism and starting of appropriate antibiotic treatment according to culture and sensitivity report. Also wait for lumber pucture report.
So please let me know
1. Is blood culture done or not?
2. Urine output is normal or not?
3. CT scan of brain done 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. Wishing good health to your father. Thanks.
Possibility of multi organ failure due to septic shock is more in his case.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
By his history and description, possibility of multi organ failure due to sepsis and septic shock is more in his case.
He might be having severe, resistant infection in the lungs which is now spreading in the brain via blood.
This causes septic shock and all the symptoms.
Best treatment is identification of causative organism and starting of appropriate antibiotic treatment according to culture and sensitivity report. Also wait for lumber pucture report.
So please let me know
1. Is blood culture done or not?
2. Urine output is normal or not?
3. CT scan of brain done 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. Wishing good health to your father. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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