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What Causes Foul Smelling Phlegm After Treatment For Pneumonia?
I just was treated for pneumonia followed by a chest tube to drain an empyema . Following my discharge was given a weeks worth of antibiotic which ran out 4 days ago. Yesterday afternoon I started bringing up some mucus as I coughed which has a terrible smell, like burning rubber. I have an appt with my pulmonologist tomorrow at 0930.
Wed, 10 Dec 2014
Thanks for your question on HCM.
Foul smelling in phlegm is mostly due to anaerobic infection.
Empyema is also caused by anaerobic infection. So possibility of spread of infection from pleural cavity to lung parenchyma is there.
So better to get done repeat chest x ray and sputum culture and sensitivity to isolate the orgorganism. This will helpful in antibiotic titration.
So consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.
Foul smelling in phlegm is mostly due to anaerobic infection.
Empyema is also caused by anaerobic infection. So possibility of spread of infection from pleural cavity to lung parenchyma is there.
So better to get done repeat chest x ray and sputum culture and sensitivity to isolate the orgorganism. This will helpful in antibiotic titration.
So consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.
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