Dr. Muhammad Zubayer Alam
Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My question is about a 90-year-old woman with a 10-year history of bronchiectasis complaining of increased clear sputum production/secretions for two weeks, but no fever, malaise, weakness, decreased sensorium, and headache. Already she is on Fluticasone + Salmeterol, n-acetylcysteine, Montelukast + Levocetirizine, and Doxofylline. Insisting that she is given Erythromycin, which was given to her back last year for bronchitis, because she believes it will cure her secretions. Are her current medicines adequate? Does she need antibiotics?
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you have been suffering from clear sputum production for the last two weeks. She has a history of bronchiectasis for the last ten years. As her sputum color has not changed yet or become yellowish or greenish color, which indicates infection, so I think she does not need to take antibiotics like Erythromycin. She can take oral corticosteroids for seven days after a meal in the morning once daily. If her sputum color changes, then antibiotics can be started. From my point of view, at this moment, she does not need to take antibiotics. I hope this helps.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My question is about a 90-year-old woman with a 10-year history of bronchiectasis complaining of increased clear sputum production/secretions for two weeks, but no fever, malaise, weakness, decreased sensorium, and headache. Already she is on Fluticasone + Salmeterol, n-acetylcysteine, Montelukast + Levocetirizine, and Doxofylline. Insisting that she is given Erythromycin, which was given to her back last year for bronchitis, because she believes it will cure her secretions. Are her current medicines adequate? Does she need antibiotics?
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you have been suffering from clear sputum production for the last two weeks. She has a history of bronchiectasis for the last ten years. As her sputum color has not changed yet or become yellowish or greenish color, which indicates infection, so I think she does not need to take antibiotics like Erythromycin. She can take oral corticosteroids for seven days after a meal in the morning once daily. If her sputum color changes, then antibiotics can be started. From my point of view, at this moment, she does not need to take antibiotics. I hope this helps.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My question is about a 90-year-old woman with a 10-year history of bronchiectasis complaining of increased clear sputum production/secretions for two weeks, but no fever, malaise, weakness, decreased sensorium, and headache. Already she is on Fluticasone + Salmeterol, n-acetylcysteine, Montelukast + Levocetirizine, and Doxofylline. Insisting that she is given Erythromycin, which was given to her back last year for bronchitis, because she believes it will cure her secretions. Are her current medicines adequate? Does she need antibiotics?
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you have been suffering from clear sputum production for the last two weeks. She has a history of bronchiectasis for the last ten years. As her sputum color has not changed yet or become yellowish or greenish color, which indicates infection, so I think she does not need to take antibiotics like Erythromycin. She can take oral corticosteroids for seven days after a meal in the morning once daily. If her sputum color changes, then antibiotics can be started. From my point of view, at this moment, she does not need to take antibiotics. I hope this helps.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My question is about a 90-year-old woman with a 10-year history of bronchiectasis complaining of increased clear sputum production/secretions for two weeks, but no fever, malaise, weakness, decreased sensorium, and headache. Already she is on Fluticasone + Salmeterol, n-acetylcysteine, Montelukast + Levocetirizine, and Doxofylline. Insisting that she is given Erythromycin, which was given to her back last year for bronchitis, because she believes it will cure her secretions. Are her current medicines adequate? Does she need antibiotics?
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you have been suffering from clear sputum production for the last two weeks. She has a history of bronchiectasis for the last ten years. As her sputum color has not changed yet or become yellowish or greenish color, which indicates infection, so I think she does not need to take antibiotics like Erythromycin. She can take oral corticosteroids for seven days after a meal in the morning once daily. If her sputum color changes, then antibiotics can be started. From my point of view, at this moment, she does not need to take antibiotics. I hope this helps.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Are there other things she can do, like change her position when lying down in the bed? Or inhale oxygen? What are your other suggestions for nonpharmacological treatment?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. As she has respiratory problems, so it will be very helpful for her to keep her in the bed in propped-up position. Place the pillows all the way down under her shoulder blades and not just under her neck. Pillows placed long ways with pillows under head, neck, shoulder blades, and keeping her in propped up position will help her breathe easily. Monitor her oxygen saturation level by pulse oximeter regularly. If her oxygen saturation level declines below 92%, then oxygen inhalation is indicated for her at home or in the hospital. Try to keep her away from any dust, danders, mite, smoke, or any allergens that can worsen her situation. She should take corticosteroids in the oral form or injectable form after consulting her doctor or pulmonologist.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Are there other things she can do, like change her position when lying down in the bed? Or inhale oxygen? What are your other suggestions for nonpharmacological treatment?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. As she has respiratory problems, so it will be very helpful for her to keep her in the bed in propped-up position. Place the pillows all the way down under her shoulder blades and not just under her neck. Pillows placed long ways with pillows under head, neck, shoulder blades, and keeping her in propped up position will help her breathe easily. Monitor her oxygen saturation level by pulse oximeter regularly. If her oxygen saturation level declines below 92%, then oxygen inhalation is indicated for her at home or in the hospital. Try to keep her away from any dust, danders, mite, smoke, or any allergens that can worsen her situation. She should take corticosteroids in the oral form or injectable form after consulting her doctor or pulmonologist.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Are there other things she can do, like change her position when lying down in the bed? Or inhale oxygen? What are your other suggestions for nonpharmacological treatment?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. As she has respiratory problems, so it will be very helpful for her to keep her in the bed in propped-up position. Place the pillows all the way down under her shoulder blades and not just under her neck. Pillows placed long ways with pillows under head, neck, shoulder blades, and keeping her in propped up position will help her breathe easily. Monitor her oxygen saturation level by pulse oximeter regularly. If her oxygen saturation level declines below 92%, then oxygen inhalation is indicated for her at home or in the hospital. Try to keep her away from any dust, danders, mite, smoke, or any allergens that can worsen her situation. She should take corticosteroids in the oral form or injectable form after consulting her doctor or pulmonologist.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Are there other things she can do, like change her position when lying down in the bed? Or inhale oxygen? What are your other suggestions for nonpharmacological treatment?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com. As she has respiratory problems, so it will be very helpful for her to keep her in the bed in propped-up position. Place the pillows all the way down under her shoulder blades and not just under her neck. Pillows placed long ways with pillows under head, neck, shoulder blades, and keeping her in propped up position will help her breathe easily. Monitor her oxygen saturation level by pulse oximeter regularly. If her oxygen saturation level declines below 92%, then oxygen inhalation is indicated for her at home or in the hospital. Try to keep her away from any dust, danders, mite, smoke, or any allergens that can worsen her situation. She should take corticosteroids in the oral form or injectable form after consulting her doctor or pulmonologist.
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Pulmonology (Asthma Doctors)
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