Querries

Question

(a) In less than twelve months a baby has undergone sterilization and a few months later is on ciproxin & tadim again. Does this mean that pseudomonas has settled for good and the real pulmonary problems have already started, or is it just symptoms?
(b) How much does the medication affect the body in the long term? Apart from the CF related issues, will there arise other problems due to the medications?

Answer

Dear friend,
(a) The treatment of a recent pseudomonas infection is considered by most experts to be effective when the cultures of the bronchial secretions are negative in three consecutive testings in a period more than six months.
The recurrence of pseudomonas after more than six months is usually due to reinfection.
(b) The long-term administration of CF medicines causes very rarely sideffects. However, the usefulness of said medicines, as well as the cost-benefit relationship, makes them absolutely necessary.
Yours friendly,
Dr. Stavros Doudounakis

14.09.2010