Am I suffering from pneumonia?
ADVERTISEMENT

Q. Am I suffering from pneumonia?

Answered by
Dr. Anshul Varshney
and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
This is a premium question & answer published on Apr 23, 2016 and last reviewed on: Jun 29, 2023

Hi doctor,

I am having a fever for about a month now. So, I have done a master health checkup and the report shows raised PLBS 184, SGPT 121, LDL 112, and fatty liver. My chest X-ray PA view shows right lower zone soft tissue opacity. Because of the soft tissue opacity fever pack, thyroid profile, blood culture and sensitivity, sputum AFB, sputum culture and sensitivity, and sputum gram stain tests were done. The results were normal except for the gram stain test results. The gram-stain sputum culture conventional showed pus cells and epithelial cells occasionally, bacteria-gram-positive cocci, and gram-negative rods. Sputum culture and sensitivity showed pus cells - occasional, epithelial cells - occasional, bacteria - gram-positive cocci and gram-negative rods, and growth observed - normal flora. So, kindly explain the above results and advise me. My past medical history includes fistula-in-ano, hypertension, and vitamin D deficiency. Currently, I am taking Telma 40 mg and Lumia 60k.

#

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Based on these reports, you are suffering from pneumonia .As your PPBS (postprandial blood sugar) is high, you need further evaluation and treatment. I would advise you to get a CT chest done. Also, get a sputum fungal stain and culture done. Check HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) every three months. You need to get these investigations done to be sure of the treatment required. You need to start on broad-spectrum antibiotics to control the infection.

Thank you

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Gram-positive cocci and gram-negative rods are found in both sputum gram stain and sputum culture and sensitivity test. But, in the sputum culture and sensitivity test the growth observed is normal flora. Here my doctor said it is normal. My body temperature is always high and I lost 5.5 pounds in 25 days. Please explain this. What type of antibiotics or medicine do I need to take if I am suffering from bacterial pneumonia?

#

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

What is troubling me is your weight loss with a positive finding in a chest x-ray. I would hereby recommend you to go for evaluation of fungal infection as you have diabetes too. You should get the above-mentioned tests done on priority. Treatment would be based on the reports.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

As per your advice, I have given for sputum fungal stain test. Please clarify the following points. Are gram-positive cocci and gram-negative rods found in both sputum for gram stain and sputum for culture and sensitivity test normal? I was diagnosed with borderline diabetes five years back, but till now I never took medicine for it. I controlled my diet very well and so my fasting blood sugar never raised above 100 and post-meal after two hours is always between 150 and 190. My HbA1c is always below 6.4. Till now I did not suffer from any diabetic symptoms. Do I need medicine for diabetes? I took the antibiotic tablet Cifran for 10 days and one tetanus injection just eight days before my blood test. Whether that antibiotic tablet affected the test report?

Please guide.

#

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Since you havetaken antibiotics before the sputum test, the reports are negative. So, we cannot rule out the possibility of pneumonia. You would need to get a CT (computed tomography) chest also to be sure that the pneumonia has healed or left. This would be apparent in the CT. In the meanwhile, you will get the report for your fungal stain. As far as your diabetes is concerned, you should get your HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) repeated to be sure that your diabetes is not further worsening. So, after taking the antibiotic, your sputum test is negative. Hence this does not rule out your infection.

Thank you.


Was this answer helpful?

 | 

Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!



Related Questions:
Diabetes Mellitus and Oral Health

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder which affects the uptake and use of glucose by the human body ... Types Of Diabetes Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus:   Read full

Diabetes and Eyes

It is very important factor for individuals to be independent in their life" Diabetes is a metabolic syndrome entity which is characterized by hyperglycemia, high blood pressure and dyslipedemia ...   Read full

My HbA1c level was 7.5 last month. Should I continue Gemer 1 tablet?

As far as tablet Gemer 1 mg (Glimepiride) is concerned, I suggest that it should be taken lifelong with another medication by the name of Metformin 250 mg twice daily after meals ...   Read full

Also Read Answers From:

ideaComprehensive Medical Second Opinion.Submit your Case

Also Read


PCOS and Liver Problems
The hormonal imbalances in polycystic ovary syndrome could cause liver diseases. Read the article to know the relationship between these medical conditions.  Read more»
Inferior Alveolar Nerve Lateralization Technique
The inferior alveolar nerve lateralization technique is a surgical lateralization technique to reposition the nerve. Read the article to know more about this.  Read more»
COVID-19 and Ebola: Similarities and Differences
This article gives a comparison and broader overview of the outbreak of the two deadliest diseases that showed a greater incidence over the last two decades.  Read more»

Ask your health query to a doctor online?

Ask a Pulmonologist Now

* guaranteed answer within 4 hours.

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.