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Pulmonary nocardiosis - Treatment

Alternative Names

Nocardiosis - pulmonary

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to control the infection. Antibiotics are used, but the response to treatment may be slow and you must keep taking the medications for at least 3 months. Patients who have medication allergies will need to take other antibiotics.

Surgery may be needed to remove or drain infected areas.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is usually good with quick diagnosis and treatment. The outcome is poor when the infection spreads and treatment is delayed.

Complications:

Brain abscesses
Diseased tissue (lesions) in the ribs
Skin infections

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of this disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve the chance of a good outcome.

Respiratory system

Reviewed last on: 9/13/2008
Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Southwick FS. Nocardiosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 351.

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