What do the Drs do about staph infections?

larasmommy

New member
Hi
Lara isnt coughing, shes actually doing really good right now, I guess thats why the Dr. wants to wait and see her xray, she also said she doesnt want her to become resistant to antibiotics...but I have to agree with you Alyssa, I want it out of her lungs...now.
When I spoke to the nurse she was saying that cf has a slow start as far as a treatment plan goes (waiting for test results, cultures, ect...) Is this true?
I am anxious to begin. I feel like Im doing absolutly nothing about this.

THANKS guys!
Marie
 

larasmommy

New member
Hi
Lara isnt coughing, shes actually doing really good right now, I guess thats why the Dr. wants to wait and see her xray, she also said she doesnt want her to become resistant to antibiotics...but I have to agree with you Alyssa, I want it out of her lungs...now.
When I spoke to the nurse she was saying that cf has a slow start as far as a treatment plan goes (waiting for test results, cultures, ect...) Is this true?
I am anxious to begin. I feel like Im doing absolutly nothing about this.

THANKS guys!
Marie
 

larasmommy

New member
Hi
Lara isnt coughing, shes actually doing really good right now, I guess thats why the Dr. wants to wait and see her xray, she also said she doesnt want her to become resistant to antibiotics...but I have to agree with you Alyssa, I want it out of her lungs...now.
When I spoke to the nurse she was saying that cf has a slow start as far as a treatment plan goes (waiting for test results, cultures, ect...) Is this true?
I am anxious to begin. I feel like Im doing absolutly nothing about this.

THANKS guys!
Marie
 

larasmommy

New member
Hi
Lara isnt coughing, shes actually doing really good right now, I guess thats why the Dr. wants to wait and see her xray, she also said she doesnt want her to become resistant to antibiotics...but I have to agree with you Alyssa, I want it out of her lungs...now.
When I spoke to the nurse she was saying that cf has a slow start as far as a treatment plan goes (waiting for test results, cultures, ect...) Is this true?
I am anxious to begin. I feel like Im doing absolutly nothing about this.

THANKS guys!
Marie
 

larasmommy

New member
Hi
Lara isnt coughing, shes actually doing really good right now, I guess thats why the Dr. wants to wait and see her xray, she also said she doesnt want her to become resistant to antibiotics...but I have to agree with you Alyssa, I want it out of her lungs...now.
When I spoke to the nurse she was saying that cf has a slow start as far as a treatment plan goes (waiting for test results, cultures, ect...) Is this true?
I am anxious to begin. I feel like Im doing absolutly nothing about this.

THANKS guys!
Marie
 

Alyssa

New member
I'm not sure about the slow start statement - that's nothing I've really heard before.... I'm not sure what she means by that.

Everyone's case is different and of course doctors ideas vary, but I thought most all doctors were recommending starting CPT as soon as you knew of the CF. And without any cough or other breathing related problems, I would imagine there would not be any reason to start any inhaled treatments - maybe that's what she was referring to.

The doctors concern about becoming resistant to antibiotics is a common theme -- you do have to be mindful of antibiotic use because it is possible to become resistant to many of them as the years go by and it can reduce your options -- however, most of the time you have to choose to treat or else you risk higher concentrations of bacteria, more mucus and white blood cells hanging out in the lungs, setting the stage for more bacteria or possible lung tissue damage.

Was this a throat culture or sputum culture? Ask what the bacteria count was and if that is considered really low or high.

You need to feel comfortable with your doctors line of thinking..... ask again for his reasons for not choosing to treat - does that include a low bacteria count or perhaps a throat culture only (if so it's possible the staph is just in the throat and not really in the lungs) If you are still nervous about not treating, ask when you can get a culture done again to check and see if the bacteria count is increasing or decreasing (assuming you were getting a sputum sample up) since you say she is not coughing, I'm guessing the results were from a throat culture? That may also be why the doctor isn't getting in too much of a hurry -- a lot of people (even those without CF) can culture staph in their throat.... we just don't usually go looking for it in people without CF :)
 

Alyssa

New member
I'm not sure about the slow start statement - that's nothing I've really heard before.... I'm not sure what she means by that.

Everyone's case is different and of course doctors ideas vary, but I thought most all doctors were recommending starting CPT as soon as you knew of the CF. And without any cough or other breathing related problems, I would imagine there would not be any reason to start any inhaled treatments - maybe that's what she was referring to.

The doctors concern about becoming resistant to antibiotics is a common theme -- you do have to be mindful of antibiotic use because it is possible to become resistant to many of them as the years go by and it can reduce your options -- however, most of the time you have to choose to treat or else you risk higher concentrations of bacteria, more mucus and white blood cells hanging out in the lungs, setting the stage for more bacteria or possible lung tissue damage.

Was this a throat culture or sputum culture? Ask what the bacteria count was and if that is considered really low or high.

You need to feel comfortable with your doctors line of thinking..... ask again for his reasons for not choosing to treat - does that include a low bacteria count or perhaps a throat culture only (if so it's possible the staph is just in the throat and not really in the lungs) If you are still nervous about not treating, ask when you can get a culture done again to check and see if the bacteria count is increasing or decreasing (assuming you were getting a sputum sample up) since you say she is not coughing, I'm guessing the results were from a throat culture? That may also be why the doctor isn't getting in too much of a hurry -- a lot of people (even those without CF) can culture staph in their throat.... we just don't usually go looking for it in people without CF :)
 

Alyssa

New member
I'm not sure about the slow start statement - that's nothing I've really heard before.... I'm not sure what she means by that.

Everyone's case is different and of course doctors ideas vary, but I thought most all doctors were recommending starting CPT as soon as you knew of the CF. And without any cough or other breathing related problems, I would imagine there would not be any reason to start any inhaled treatments - maybe that's what she was referring to.

The doctors concern about becoming resistant to antibiotics is a common theme -- you do have to be mindful of antibiotic use because it is possible to become resistant to many of them as the years go by and it can reduce your options -- however, most of the time you have to choose to treat or else you risk higher concentrations of bacteria, more mucus and white blood cells hanging out in the lungs, setting the stage for more bacteria or possible lung tissue damage.

Was this a throat culture or sputum culture? Ask what the bacteria count was and if that is considered really low or high.

You need to feel comfortable with your doctors line of thinking..... ask again for his reasons for not choosing to treat - does that include a low bacteria count or perhaps a throat culture only (if so it's possible the staph is just in the throat and not really in the lungs) If you are still nervous about not treating, ask when you can get a culture done again to check and see if the bacteria count is increasing or decreasing (assuming you were getting a sputum sample up) since you say she is not coughing, I'm guessing the results were from a throat culture? That may also be why the doctor isn't getting in too much of a hurry -- a lot of people (even those without CF) can culture staph in their throat.... we just don't usually go looking for it in people without CF :)
 

Alyssa

New member
I'm not sure about the slow start statement - that's nothing I've really heard before.... I'm not sure what she means by that.

Everyone's case is different and of course doctors ideas vary, but I thought most all doctors were recommending starting CPT as soon as you knew of the CF. And without any cough or other breathing related problems, I would imagine there would not be any reason to start any inhaled treatments - maybe that's what she was referring to.

The doctors concern about becoming resistant to antibiotics is a common theme -- you do have to be mindful of antibiotic use because it is possible to become resistant to many of them as the years go by and it can reduce your options -- however, most of the time you have to choose to treat or else you risk higher concentrations of bacteria, more mucus and white blood cells hanging out in the lungs, setting the stage for more bacteria or possible lung tissue damage.

Was this a throat culture or sputum culture? Ask what the bacteria count was and if that is considered really low or high.

You need to feel comfortable with your doctors line of thinking..... ask again for his reasons for not choosing to treat - does that include a low bacteria count or perhaps a throat culture only (if so it's possible the staph is just in the throat and not really in the lungs) If you are still nervous about not treating, ask when you can get a culture done again to check and see if the bacteria count is increasing or decreasing (assuming you were getting a sputum sample up) since you say she is not coughing, I'm guessing the results were from a throat culture? That may also be why the doctor isn't getting in too much of a hurry -- a lot of people (even those without CF) can culture staph in their throat.... we just don't usually go looking for it in people without CF :)
 

Alyssa

New member
I'm not sure about the slow start statement - that's nothing I've really heard before.... I'm not sure what she means by that.

Everyone's case is different and of course doctors ideas vary, but I thought most all doctors were recommending starting CPT as soon as you knew of the CF. And without any cough or other breathing related problems, I would imagine there would not be any reason to start any inhaled treatments - maybe that's what she was referring to.

The doctors concern about becoming resistant to antibiotics is a common theme -- you do have to be mindful of antibiotic use because it is possible to become resistant to many of them as the years go by and it can reduce your options -- however, most of the time you have to choose to treat or else you risk higher concentrations of bacteria, more mucus and white blood cells hanging out in the lungs, setting the stage for more bacteria or possible lung tissue damage.

Was this a throat culture or sputum culture? Ask what the bacteria count was and if that is considered really low or high.

You need to feel comfortable with your doctors line of thinking..... ask again for his reasons for not choosing to treat - does that include a low bacteria count or perhaps a throat culture only (if so it's possible the staph is just in the throat and not really in the lungs) If you are still nervous about not treating, ask when you can get a culture done again to check and see if the bacteria count is increasing or decreasing (assuming you were getting a sputum sample up) since you say she is not coughing, I'm guessing the results were from a throat culture? That may also be why the doctor isn't getting in too much of a hurry -- a lot of people (even those without CF) can culture staph in their throat.... we just don't usually go looking for it in people without CF :)
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
Both of my daughters culture Staph, and have for many years. They both culture MRSA as well. My girls are not treated for a positive Staph culture alone. Only if there are increase in symptoms. I have researched the effect of Staph on CF lungs, and it seems that the verdict is still out as to wether or not it does damage the lungs. I, myself, am not sure.

Both girls have cultured it for the same amount of time, that I am aware of. Kayla, my 9 year old, has had a few bad flare ups with the Staph/MRSA. She was on IV antibiotics one time, about 18 months ago. And then went on oral Zyvox for the MRSA almost a year ago. The MRSA is gone, but she still has Staph showing up in her cultures. She has moderate lung damage in her upper right lobe. She cultures nothing else, except for one time aspergillus. Her PFTs are 100% still.

My younger daughter, Hannah, who will be 8 next month, has never had to go on IV antibiotics, and never oral Zyvox (the big gun oral anitbiotic for MRSA). Her lungs are perfectly clear...they look like any normal almost 8 year old<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Now, she also has had two PA cultures, with the last two being clear. Her PFTs are 90%.

So, I just don't know if I agree that it doesn't cause damage, because one daughter has damage and one doesn't. And the one that doesn't has also cultured PA. So, go figure!

Our CF doctor does get concerned about overuse of oral antibiotics. Although, if they have increased in symptoms, he doesn't think twice about using them. So, I just watch for very subtle changes. Hannah hardly ever coughs, but if I notice a morning cough, or more cough during CPT, then I call and we get her started on oral antibiotics. Normally, within a few days she is much better.
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
Both of my daughters culture Staph, and have for many years. They both culture MRSA as well. My girls are not treated for a positive Staph culture alone. Only if there are increase in symptoms. I have researched the effect of Staph on CF lungs, and it seems that the verdict is still out as to wether or not it does damage the lungs. I, myself, am not sure.

Both girls have cultured it for the same amount of time, that I am aware of. Kayla, my 9 year old, has had a few bad flare ups with the Staph/MRSA. She was on IV antibiotics one time, about 18 months ago. And then went on oral Zyvox for the MRSA almost a year ago. The MRSA is gone, but she still has Staph showing up in her cultures. She has moderate lung damage in her upper right lobe. She cultures nothing else, except for one time aspergillus. Her PFTs are 100% still.

My younger daughter, Hannah, who will be 8 next month, has never had to go on IV antibiotics, and never oral Zyvox (the big gun oral anitbiotic for MRSA). Her lungs are perfectly clear...they look like any normal almost 8 year old<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Now, she also has had two PA cultures, with the last two being clear. Her PFTs are 90%.

So, I just don't know if I agree that it doesn't cause damage, because one daughter has damage and one doesn't. And the one that doesn't has also cultured PA. So, go figure!

Our CF doctor does get concerned about overuse of oral antibiotics. Although, if they have increased in symptoms, he doesn't think twice about using them. So, I just watch for very subtle changes. Hannah hardly ever coughs, but if I notice a morning cough, or more cough during CPT, then I call and we get her started on oral antibiotics. Normally, within a few days she is much better.
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
Both of my daughters culture Staph, and have for many years. They both culture MRSA as well. My girls are not treated for a positive Staph culture alone. Only if there are increase in symptoms. I have researched the effect of Staph on CF lungs, and it seems that the verdict is still out as to wether or not it does damage the lungs. I, myself, am not sure.

Both girls have cultured it for the same amount of time, that I am aware of. Kayla, my 9 year old, has had a few bad flare ups with the Staph/MRSA. She was on IV antibiotics one time, about 18 months ago. And then went on oral Zyvox for the MRSA almost a year ago. The MRSA is gone, but she still has Staph showing up in her cultures. She has moderate lung damage in her upper right lobe. She cultures nothing else, except for one time aspergillus. Her PFTs are 100% still.

My younger daughter, Hannah, who will be 8 next month, has never had to go on IV antibiotics, and never oral Zyvox (the big gun oral anitbiotic for MRSA). Her lungs are perfectly clear...they look like any normal almost 8 year old<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Now, she also has had two PA cultures, with the last two being clear. Her PFTs are 90%.

So, I just don't know if I agree that it doesn't cause damage, because one daughter has damage and one doesn't. And the one that doesn't has also cultured PA. So, go figure!

Our CF doctor does get concerned about overuse of oral antibiotics. Although, if they have increased in symptoms, he doesn't think twice about using them. So, I just watch for very subtle changes. Hannah hardly ever coughs, but if I notice a morning cough, or more cough during CPT, then I call and we get her started on oral antibiotics. Normally, within a few days she is much better.
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
Both of my daughters culture Staph, and have for many years. They both culture MRSA as well. My girls are not treated for a positive Staph culture alone. Only if there are increase in symptoms. I have researched the effect of Staph on CF lungs, and it seems that the verdict is still out as to wether or not it does damage the lungs. I, myself, am not sure.

Both girls have cultured it for the same amount of time, that I am aware of. Kayla, my 9 year old, has had a few bad flare ups with the Staph/MRSA. She was on IV antibiotics one time, about 18 months ago. And then went on oral Zyvox for the MRSA almost a year ago. The MRSA is gone, but she still has Staph showing up in her cultures. She has moderate lung damage in her upper right lobe. She cultures nothing else, except for one time aspergillus. Her PFTs are 100% still.

My younger daughter, Hannah, who will be 8 next month, has never had to go on IV antibiotics, and never oral Zyvox (the big gun oral anitbiotic for MRSA). Her lungs are perfectly clear...they look like any normal almost 8 year old<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Now, she also has had two PA cultures, with the last two being clear. Her PFTs are 90%.

So, I just don't know if I agree that it doesn't cause damage, because one daughter has damage and one doesn't. And the one that doesn't has also cultured PA. So, go figure!

Our CF doctor does get concerned about overuse of oral antibiotics. Although, if they have increased in symptoms, he doesn't think twice about using them. So, I just watch for very subtle changes. Hannah hardly ever coughs, but if I notice a morning cough, or more cough during CPT, then I call and we get her started on oral antibiotics. Normally, within a few days she is much better.
 
T

tammykrumrey

Guest
Both of my daughters culture Staph, and have for many years. They both culture MRSA as well. My girls are not treated for a positive Staph culture alone. Only if there are increase in symptoms. I have researched the effect of Staph on CF lungs, and it seems that the verdict is still out as to wether or not it does damage the lungs. I, myself, am not sure.

Both girls have cultured it for the same amount of time, that I am aware of. Kayla, my 9 year old, has had a few bad flare ups with the Staph/MRSA. She was on IV antibiotics one time, about 18 months ago. And then went on oral Zyvox for the MRSA almost a year ago. The MRSA is gone, but she still has Staph showing up in her cultures. She has moderate lung damage in her upper right lobe. She cultures nothing else, except for one time aspergillus. Her PFTs are 100% still.

My younger daughter, Hannah, who will be 8 next month, has never had to go on IV antibiotics, and never oral Zyvox (the big gun oral anitbiotic for MRSA). Her lungs are perfectly clear...they look like any normal almost 8 year old<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Now, she also has had two PA cultures, with the last two being clear. Her PFTs are 90%.

So, I just don't know if I agree that it doesn't cause damage, because one daughter has damage and one doesn't. And the one that doesn't has also cultured PA. So, go figure!

Our CF doctor does get concerned about overuse of oral antibiotics. Although, if they have increased in symptoms, he doesn't think twice about using them. So, I just watch for very subtle changes. Hannah hardly ever coughs, but if I notice a morning cough, or more cough during CPT, then I call and we get her started on oral antibiotics. Normally, within a few days she is much better.
 
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