That's an interesting question, though I must warn against jumping to the conclusion that taking the antibiotic was a cause or contributing factor. Bactrim is often used as a treatment for pneumonia, as well as other infections such as ear infections and urinary tract infections. Here's some more information from WebMD: Bactrim.
As my article states, Hamman-Rich Syndrome is often mistakenly diagnosed as pneumonia and treated as such. It's only when the symptoms becomes more serious (acute) that doctors realize that it is something else and requires different treatment.
So, at the outset, I would venture to say that there is no causal or catalytic association between the use of Bactrim, Septra or other similar antibiotics and the onset of Hamman-Rich Syndrome.
One of the rare side effects associated with this drug, however, is lung injury; whether this is what happened in your case (or your friend's case) is really impossible to say and, as I am not a medical professional, it would be irresponsible and unethical for me to offer anything other than an opinion. Part of the frustration of this disease is that no one knows how or why it starts and in apparently otherwise healthy individuals with no immediately prior history of lung issues. It certainly can't help to discuss this with your family doctor though and the medical staff that treated you, then they can rule out for certain whether or not Bactrim played any role in your particular case.
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That's an interesting question, though I must warn against jumping to the conclusion that taking the antibiotic was a cause or contributing factor. Bactrim is often used as a treatment for pneumonia, as well as other infections such as ear infections and urinary tract infections. Here's some more information from WebMD: Bactrim.
As my article states, Hamman-Rich Syndrome is often mistakenly diagnosed as pneumonia and treated as such. It's only when the symptoms becomes more serious (acute) that doctors realize that it is something else and requires different treatment.
So, at the outset, I would venture to say that there is no causal or catalytic association between the use of Bactrim, Septra or other similar antibiotics and the onset of Hamman-Rich Syndrome.
One of the rare side effects associated with this drug, however, is lung injury; whether this is what happened in your case (or your friend's case) is really impossible to say and, as I am not a medical professional, it would be irresponsible and unethical for me to offer anything other than an opinion. Part of the frustration of this disease is that no one knows how or why it starts and in apparently otherwise healthy individuals with no immediately prior history of lung issues. It certainly can't help to discuss this with your family doctor though and the medical staff that treated you, then they can rule out for certain whether or not Bactrim played any role in your particular case.
May 11, 2012 - 11:09amThis Comment
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