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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Does any of this make sense to thoes experienced with this?
Answered by
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Does any of this make sense to thoes experienced with this?
by Dano, Aug 24, 2002 12:00AM
On June 15th my Mom went into the Hospital for an illness that appeared to be flu/weakness. She had never been on oxygen before, but did smoke for many years.
Dr's diagnosed her with pneumonia --- from there things went down hill. Two weeks after diag, she still had a temp and was placed on a ventilator. One week later a trach was performed. 30 days later she was sent to rehab to wean off the vent.
At rehab it seems that she lost every every bit of energy that she had, and her temp began to rise again. The Dr. put her on Vancomyacin. Immediately she began to improve. She went from mandatory breathing to breathing on her own with small amt's of pressure support. After antibiotics ended her temp started again and the Dr. sent her back to the hospital for fluid building around the lungs. As of now she is back in the Hospital with a chest tube draining. All fluid drained showed no sign of infection. I dont' understand where these infections are coming from? She does have a central line, chest tube, and feeding tube that was just put back in. What a roller coaster ride of frustration. Is there anyone with ideas of what is going on?
Dr's diagnosed her with pneumonia --- from there things went down hill. Two weeks after diag, she still had a temp and was placed on a ventilator. One week later a trach was performed. 30 days later she was sent to rehab to wean off the vent.
At rehab it seems that she lost every every bit of energy that she had, and her temp began to rise again. The Dr. put her on Vancomyacin. Immediately she began to improve. She went from mandatory breathing to breathing on her own with small amt's of pressure support. After antibiotics ended her temp started again and the Dr. sent her back to the hospital for fluid building around the lungs. As of now she is back in the Hospital with a chest tube draining. All fluid drained showed no sign of infection. I dont' understand where these infections are coming from? She does have a central line, chest tube, and feeding tube that was just put back in. What a roller coaster ride of frustration. Is there anyone with ideas of what is going on?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Aug 29, 2002 12:00AM
, Aug 29, 2002 12:00AM
Empyema is a build up of pus in a body cavity. It is called pyothorax when the pus is in the pleural space, the area between the lungs and the chest. The pyothorax can happen when the germ that caused your mom’s pneumonia passed from the lung into the pleural space. The antibiotic cleared the pneumonia and kept the infection from spreading beyond the pleural space. The pyothorax flared when the antibiotic was stopped. Generally the pyothorax needs to be drained as well as being treated with the antibiotic.
It is possible that the antibiotic was strong enough to keep the germs from growing in the laboratory, but not strong enough to keep them from growing in your mom’s chest. So it may appear that there is no sign of infection from the fluid that is draining. It may be helpful to repeat the culture of the fluid that is draining to see if any germs will grow now. It would be important that the fluid be cultured for all possible germs, especially anaerobic germs. Anaerobic germs grow well without oxygen.
Generally the chest tube is left in place until the infection is completely controlled. It will be important to make every effort to get your mom out of bed as early as possible. Also your mom’s nutrition will need to be watched closely.
It is possible that the antibiotic was strong enough to keep the germs from growing in the laboratory, but not strong enough to keep them from growing in your mom’s chest. So it may appear that there is no sign of infection from the fluid that is draining. It may be helpful to repeat the culture of the fluid that is draining to see if any germs will grow now. It would be important that the fluid be cultured for all possible germs, especially anaerobic germs. Anaerobic germs grow well without oxygen.
Generally the chest tube is left in place until the infection is completely controlled. It will be important to make every effort to get your mom out of bed as early as possible. Also your mom’s nutrition will need to be watched closely.
J.C.I. RRT RCP
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