Are antibiotics and inhaler regimen the correct treatment for pneumonia?
Patient: I just inhaled a corn kernel. I was choking and coughing but it didn t come up. The kicker is that I was just diagnosed with pneumonia this morning. So, I m concerned that my lungs are already weak. I feel discomfort in my chest in addition to the pain and discomfort I was already feeling due to the pneumonia. My question is, should I just continue my antibiotics and inhaler regimen or is it necessary for me to be alarmed and visit my doctor again? Doctor: Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM. I can understand your situation and problem. In my opinion you are having aspiration pneumonia due to choking from corn.And the best treatment of aspiration pneumonia is Bronchoscopic removal of foreign particle (corn).So better to consult pulmonologist and get done Bronchoscopic evaluation. Bronchoscopy also helps in identification of causative organism bu BAL ( Bronchoalveolar lavage ) culture and sensitivity.  So appropriate antibiotic can be started.So don't start antibiotics haphazardly,  better than first isolate the causative organism and then start appropriate antibiotic according to sensitivity report.