Pneumonia lingering

[obladee]

I was diagnosed with pneumonia 6 weeks ago. I was on oral antibiotics for 2 days, then admitted with an IV drip for 3 days (levifloxacin, as I'm allergic to penicillin-based drugs) then given a 5 day course of oral clarithromyacin. I rested for 2 more weeks after finishing the antibiotics but was still coughing yellow mucus and feeling tired with moderate/mild activity. My doctor (chest specialist) put me on another 10 day course (moxifloxacin) which I'm finishing now, but I'm still tired and coughing up yellow.

I know it can take months to fully recover, but I'm afraid that as the mucus is still colored, the infection hasn't cleared. When can I expect the mucus to turn clear? Should I be worried or change doctors?

I'm an otherwise healthy, active 30-year-old...

[obladee]

The very last 2 days of the Moxifloxacin course, my mucous finally turned pale. I'm still coughing up very pale yellow and clear sputum as opposed to the solid yellow stuff I'd had before. Pale yellow, almost clear is ok, right? A friend of mine said she was coughing up clear mucous for 2-3 months.

I can't get another chest x-ray at the moment though, as I've just discovered I'm pregnant - that could explain the lower immunity and fatigue.

Thank you so much for the reply!

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? What other symptoms are present? Are there other co-morbid medical conditions present? Pneumonia usually responds well to antibiotics. If the symptoms persist despite the prescribed medications, a repeat chest x-ray or imaging studies may help determine if the infection is still present. Other considerations to be ruled out include allergic issues as well. Take care and do keep us posted.