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Suggest Treatment When Diagnosed With Mycobacterium Avium Complex
Question: My husband has been diagnosed with Mycobacterium avium complex. The location is in his right thumb. He had surgery on May 20. A biopsy was taken which indicates this bacterial infection. The recommended treatment is a combination of three antibiotics. He is age 70 and has had irritable bowel problems and is not eager to begin a year long treatment. It is our understanding that there is no guarantee that the drugs will be effective and bring about a cure. Are there alternative treatments or procedures?
Brief Answer:
Am sorry but NO other treatments beside antibiotics!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to here about this infection that you husband has been diagnosed off. Only antibiotics can cure this infection and they need to be taken for a long time. There is no guarantee as some persons fail to get cured of their infection but a majority eventually get rid of it. Though it may not be 100% effective, it remains the best way to address this infection. Treating with antibiotics. I understand his reluctance but he still has so many years ahead of him not to take the chance to get treated for this infection. Not treating is giving the germ the chance to continue causing havoc while treating offers the greater chance of being able to address this.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Above all, thanks for using our services.
Am sorry but NO other treatments beside antibiotics!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to here about this infection that you husband has been diagnosed off. Only antibiotics can cure this infection and they need to be taken for a long time. There is no guarantee as some persons fail to get cured of their infection but a majority eventually get rid of it. Though it may not be 100% effective, it remains the best way to address this infection. Treating with antibiotics. I understand his reluctance but he still has so many years ahead of him not to take the chance to get treated for this infection. Not treating is giving the germ the chance to continue causing havoc while treating offers the greater chance of being able to address this.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be. Above all, thanks for using our services.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your response to our question. We were hoping for an alternative. Since the infection is in his thumb, we were wondering if removing the thumb could be a possibility. However, since surgery on the thumb was how we discovered the infection, and the bone was weakened could the infection be present in the bone and removal would complicate the problem?
Brief Answer:
Let’s ask the testing doctor about the extend of the infection!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Removal of a body parts for infection control always takes into account the extent of the infection. It would only be performed if the doctor is sure that he can safely remove all the infected tissue. If that cannot be guaranteed, be rest assured he will not carry out such a procedure. I will suggest we ask the doctor how far he need to cut to make sure there is no infected tissue allowed and hear what the response is.
I wish you well and let me know what the response is!
Let’s ask the testing doctor about the extend of the infection!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Removal of a body parts for infection control always takes into account the extent of the infection. It would only be performed if the doctor is sure that he can safely remove all the infected tissue. If that cannot be guaranteed, be rest assured he will not carry out such a procedure. I will suggest we ask the doctor how far he need to cut to make sure there is no infected tissue allowed and hear what the response is.
I wish you well and let me know what the response is!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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