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Suggest Treatment For Infection In The Bloodstream
Posted on
Thu, 13 Oct 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 13 Oct 2016
Answered on
Fri, 4 Nov 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : My father is in the hospital because he has an infection in his bloodstream and two infections on his heart from a catheter he uses for dialysis which is located on his on the L side of his penis. His blood pressure is low and high (depending on the day and time) and he is still conscious. Considering I want to help save his life, what questions or plans can I offer to the doctors that providing him care?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your father's clinical situation is a little complicated.
Coming to this point, it is important to determine the possible infectious agent in order to find the proper antibiotics which are able to fight the infection.
Besides, recovery depends not only on the type of the infectious agent, but also on his main organ function (the kidney, the heart, the liver and the brain).
So, I would recommend performing some tests to investigate for the above issues;
1- repeated blood bacterial cultures are necessary to find the proper infectious agent present in his circulating blood and the proper antibiotics based on the infectious agent.
2- a cardiac ultrasound is necessary to examine his heart function and structure
3- a chest X ray study to investigate for possible lung involvement
4- kidney and liver function tests
5- an urine analysis
6- repeated arterial blood gas analysis are necessary to exclude possible acide-base imbalances related to the infection or kidney involvement.
A careful neurological exam should be necessary to exclude possible septic emboli migrating to the brain. A brain CT scan may be needed.
You should discuss with his attending physician on the above issues.
You should know that after these complications, the prognosis is really reserved.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your father's clinical situation is a little complicated.
Coming to this point, it is important to determine the possible infectious agent in order to find the proper antibiotics which are able to fight the infection.
Besides, recovery depends not only on the type of the infectious agent, but also on his main organ function (the kidney, the heart, the liver and the brain).
So, I would recommend performing some tests to investigate for the above issues;
1- repeated blood bacterial cultures are necessary to find the proper infectious agent present in his circulating blood and the proper antibiotics based on the infectious agent.
2- a cardiac ultrasound is necessary to examine his heart function and structure
3- a chest X ray study to investigate for possible lung involvement
4- kidney and liver function tests
5- an urine analysis
6- repeated arterial blood gas analysis are necessary to exclude possible acide-base imbalances related to the infection or kidney involvement.
A careful neurological exam should be necessary to exclude possible septic emboli migrating to the brain. A brain CT scan may be needed.
You should discuss with his attending physician on the above issues.
You should know that after these complications, the prognosis is really reserved.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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