Question
A four-month and 20-day-old male infant has been experiencing dry cough for 10 days. He was given pink ibuprofen suspension when his body temperature reached 38.2 degrees, and his temperature returned to normal afterward, but he still has a dry cough. Seven days ago, he developed diarrhea, which was diagnosed as enteritis. The skin sensitivity test showed an allergy to penicillin and cephalosporins. After 3 days of intravenous treatment, his symptoms slightly improved, but 2 days ago his cough worsened with phlegm, and the diarrhea condition continued. The stool test results were normal. He is currently diagnosed with bronchial pneumonia. What tests are needed and how should it be treated?
Answer
Your condition may be pneumonia, and the most crucial aspect of pneumonia treatment is anti-infection therapy. For bacterial pneumonia, treatment includes empirical therapy and targeted treatment against the pathogen. The former mainly relies on the local or unit’s pneumonia epidemiological data of pathogens to select antibiotics that may cover the pathogens; the latter selects antibiotics sensitive to in vitro tests based on respiratory or lung tissue samples and drug sensitivity tests. In addition, factors such as the patient’s age, the presence of underlying diseases, the occurrence of aspiration, hospitalization status, and the severity of pneumonia should be considered when selecting appropriate antibiotics and administration routes.