Staph Infection (lungs)

[Angie1101]

I have Wegener's which an auto-immune illness.  I have been sick off and on since 2001 including an abdominal resection to remove a sarcoma.  Most recently beginning at the end of 2006 I began having breathing difficulty.  I was dianosed with Treacal Stenosis in Jan 2007 and had my first treceal dialiation and steriod intection.  I have had 8 procedures of this in 2007.  During a recent procedure, the doctors noticed a change in my lung nodules there from the first on set of the Wegeners.  A sample of the mass was taken and I have a staph infection.  I have a horrible cough, my body hurts and my stomach aches.  Today, my pulmonologist perscribed cephalexin (2000 mg daily dose for 10 days).  

Can the staph infection be related to the procedures I have been having?  In addition, I had thrush after a procedure and the dentist is reporting gengivitis during the last 2 months.  

Is the cephalexin the right medication to take?

How will I know the infection is gone?  

Is there anything that I can do about the cough?  Coughing medicine does not seem to help much.

[lisarealtor]

I'm sorry I forgot to add that Mucinex helps me more than any other cough formula. Also you can get Thrush from the Steroids you were taking. There is a perscription for Mouthwash to get rid of the Thrush. It is called PERIDEX Oral Rinse. You will need a prescription for it. You will feel alot better when the infection is gone. Hope this helps!!   Lisa

[lisarealtor]

I too was diagnosed with Staff in my lungs this last year. I also have C.O.P.D.
The type of Staff I have is MRSA. The only antibiotic that I know of for this type is ZYVOC 600mg. It is a VERY EXPENSIVE antibiotic. Also Sunny602 is right. Anytime they take a sputam culture they also find out what antibiotic to give you. You should find out from your doctor what type of Staff you have. I hope this will help you. I know what its like to not know. Good Luck to you. I hope you are feeling better real soon!!!  Lisa

[gamma47]

Ask your doctor what kind of staph infection you have; there are many and when you know what kind you may be able to research it easier.  Good Luck!

[Sunny602]

Unfortunately, hospitals are notorious for harboring bugs like staph, so yes it is possible to get an infection from anyone of the procedures you describe, especially since your immune system is compramised.
I bet that when the docs took that sample from the mass, they probably cultured it..meaning they tested the bacteria to see which antibiotics would work for it and what wouldn't. They also are able to identify the type of bacteria through culturing. This gives the doctors a fairly good idea which antibiotic to give you.
How will you know that the infection is gone? The doctor will probably be monitoring your symptoms, improvement etc and your xrays to see if there are any changes for the better.
As far as that cough...what are you taking now? Have you mentioned that what you aren't taking isn't helping to your doc? There are a lot of good meds out there that they can try...
I hope this helps and that you feel better soon...Sunny