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What Does This X-ray Report Indicate?

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Posted on Mon, 13 Jun 2016
Question: Hi, I'm XXXX, I had pneumonia 2 weeks ago, I was on antibiotics for days and the chest pain and fever went away. I'm still coughing with very little greenish flame coming out. I can still hear the wheezing/cracking noise in my chest. I was prescribed with 5 days on prednisone. I can do my days normal but I am really tire and have no energy.

My findings in X ray are: Interval of patchy airspace opacities at mid left lung. New mild linear left lower lobe atelectasis on the lateral view.

My question is.... am I on the right direction? How long does the coughing and wheezing can last after pneumonia? By the way I am 42 years old. (Busy...busy mom) Thank you so much.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Possibility of post infectious bronchitis is more.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, you are mostly having post infectious bronchitis.
It is common after lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI - pneumonia).
Your symptoms like coughing, wheezing, low energy etc are suggestive of bronchitis more.
In my opinion, you should not take oral steroid (prednisone) because this can actually worsen pneumonia.
Oral steroids can cause immunosuppression. And this can worsen any infection. So better to stop prednisone.
You should start inhaled bronchodilator and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for bronchitis.
They will definitely solve your symptoms.
Usual time for recovery in bronchitis is 2 weeks after starting inhaled treatment.
So consult your doctor and discuss all these and start inhaled treatment.
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
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 hours later)
My question is....Is it possible then to develop bronchitis after pneumonia?
This is my first Xray:
FINDINGS: Patchy airspace opacity lateral to left hilum localizing to the superior segment of the lower lobe on lateral view. This is compatible with pneumonia. Right lung is clear. No pleural fluid or pneumothorax.
IMPRESSION: Patchy infiltrate superior segment left lower lobe compatible with pneumonia.
(My second Xray findings are described in our first conversation)

At this point do I need to ask my dr. to prescribe the inhaled corticosteroids for bronchitis? Today was my first day of prednisone and the prescription says "do not stop this medication" is it still ok to stop the treatment?

Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, you should ask for inhaled treatment.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
No need to worry for your recent x ray. It is improving.
In my opinion, you should stop prednisone and ask your doctor for inhaled treatment.
I want to ask you few more questions.
May I?
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (31 minutes later)
Absolutely please ask.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Do you smoke?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
Thanks for allowing me.
Please let me know
1. Do you smoke?
2. Which antibiotic you took?
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
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (10 minutes later)
No I don't smoke. I did when I was single in my 20's more like a social smoker but I haven't smoke at least in 9 years.

The antibiotic was azythromicin.
Also my cough is not a constant is more like here and there but today when I had my breathing test I couldn't blow to much air out; the nurse it should get to 350 and it was around 150.... that made me cough!

Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Was that PFT or just peak flow?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
So you were previous smoker.
And what was that test?
Was it PFT (pulmonary function test) or just peak flow reading?
Well 150 is too low and this is suggestive of obstructive Airway defect.
Also let me know
1. Have you ever had similar kind of wheezing in the past?
2. Do you have exposure to passive smoke?
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
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (24 minutes later)
I am not sure about the what kind of test, I just blow air in a little tube. But yes, I had some respiratory illness about 7 years ago where I can remember some wheezing. I am pretty much a healthy mom but the fact the my kids are 2, 4 and 7 and getting sick around spring and weather / allergic environment I thought I must have had got some bacteria from them. I don't know of course.

No, I am not expose to any smoker.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
That time also you mostly had post infectious bronchitis.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Yes, that time also you mostly had post infectious bronchitis. Actually viral infection from children can spread to parents and can cause bronchitis in them.
You mostly had peak flow test. And 150 reading is very low.
Why don't they refer you for PFT (pulmonary function test).
Actually PFT is must for the diagnosis of bronchitis and it will also tell you about severity of the disease. Treatment is based of severity only.
So better to ask for PFT and start inhaled treatment.
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
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Drkaushal85

Pulmonologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 14999 Questions

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What Does This X-ray Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: Possibility of post infectious bronchitis is more. Detailed Answer: Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic. I can understand your concern. In my opinion, you are mostly having post infectious bronchitis. It is common after lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI - pneumonia). Your symptoms like coughing, wheezing, low energy etc are suggestive of bronchitis more. In my opinion, you should not take oral steroid (prednisone) because this can actually worsen pneumonia. Oral steroids can cause immunosuppression. And this can worsen any infection. So better to stop prednisone. You should start inhaled bronchodilator and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for bronchitis. They will definitely solve your symptoms. Usual time for recovery in bronchitis is 2 weeks after starting inhaled treatment. So consult your doctor and discuss all these and start inhaled treatment. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.