It has taken long enough - but I finally know what is wrong with DH

[KatyMac]

I sneaked a look at the letter for the GP from the hospital

It is Haemophilus influenzae

Which sounds like a cold but has tied up a bed at Papworth for 5 days admission, 2 day admissions & 4 comsultant appointments

But I really don't know what it is

Is a bacteria , HIB, the one that kids are often vaccinated against

Just googled it for you:

A gram-negative bacteria that is a common cause for epiglottitis, meningitis, conjunctivitis, sepsis and respiratory infections

Is it difficult to kill?

Apparently he may have had it for up to 5 years

about 75% of us have it up our noses

So why is he ill & getting iller? (is that a word?)

If hes been on loads of steroids and immunocompromising drugs,Katy he may be more susceptible to such things,but the IVABS will help xxx (just seen this after other thread) xx

You can kill it with antibiotics

This is rough for you, IV antibiotics are what he needs, and hes getting them now

The steroids are for the Haemophilus influenzae

As are the A/B

and WT is right, this sort of thing can make you ill if your immune system doesn't keep it under control...given that he's been on immune suporessants things like this can cause problems. but it is treatable

Sorry MB - he hasn't been on 'immune suporessants' (at least I don't think so)

Just asthma stuff, the the a-bs & steroids for the Haemophilus influenzae

This is his problem rather than it being a result of anything else

TBH I don't know why Papworth are interested he isn't nearly ill enough for them

sorry, immune suppressants

Is what I wanted to type

HIB is one of those odd bacteria that can 'come out of the woodwork' if you are not in full health, IYSWIM. Most of us keep it under control most of the time.

What matters is that it can be treated with antibiotics and he's getting that treatment

Yep he is on (make your own) IV A-Bs

i recckon he could go in for a drug addiction when it's over - he welds that syringe like a pro

Sorry,Katy maybe I got the wrong end of stick as usual!!

Has he not been on something for his heart?Or is he a t Papworth for the respiratory stuff??

Though steroids themselves can effect the immune response as well as propping up the immune system,paradoxically.

dp has rare autoimmunedisease so his treatment AND steroids have made him vulnerable to infections.

No - they are treating the Haemophilus influenzae at Papworth - that is his problem

In the last 12 months he had 13 lots of oral a-bs & in 2007 he only had 11

Thye think that this Haemophilus influenzae is causing his infections (although he gets secondary infections most times)

& when this treatment (aminophylline, pedisilone & Cefuroxime sodium) finishes he is going onto Doxycycline

At last you have a name for what is wrong with Dh, Katy.

Poor guy,hope he is feeling better soon

(and slighty less steroid manic!)

Thanks

I hope to mania goes too