What is the treatment for pneumonia?
Patient: My dad is 79 and in February was admitted to hospital with Pneumonia. Unfortunately he had prior for many years had problems with swallowing and choking. He now has a gastrostomy tube and is nil by mouth as his Epiglottis is not working correctly. Is there anything that can be done we don t seem to be getting any answers Doctor: Thanks for your question on HCM.I can understand your situation and problem.In my opinion, your father is having aspiration pneumonia mostly.He is having following risk factors for aspiration.1. Old age2. Difficulty in swallowing3. History of choking4. Non functioning epiglottisAnaerobic infection is most common cause for Aspiration pneumonia. So better to get done sputum culture and sensitivity to identify causative organism and start appropriate antibiotic therapy.Just make sure that his antibiotic regimen contain anaerobic coverage.So discuss all these with his treating doctor and start proper treatment.