Why Do Antibiotics Sometimes Help Solve Asthma Problem?

A great many people suffer symptoms of asthma. Even with standard treatments the wheezing may linger. Sometimes an asthma problem can be caused by an underlying infection.

Q. I was recently diagnosed with asthma. After six weeks of steroids that didn’t help much, I went to the ER and found out I had a lung infection. This misdiagnosis was by a well-known pulmonologist who should have ordered an x ray.

A. Many people (including doctors) are not aware that adult onset asthma can sometimes be triggered by a lung infection that may be difficult to diagnose (Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, July-Aug., 2012).

Readers Share Asthma Problem Stories:

Sherri in Kansas relates this experience:

“My son was cured of moderate asthma after twelve years of suffering with asthma attacks. Zithromax works. My five year old grandson is now being treated with Zithromax for mild asthma. He says he feels like a new person already and his treatment still has a few weeks to go.”

Diane in Hendersonville, NC shared this story that is somewhat similar to the first question:

“I know that I was cured of asthma after many years on proventil and advair. I had the flu and subsequently 2x Zithromax. After that no asthma. That was about 8 years ago.”

B. McConaughey offered this asthma problem:

“Several years ago I was diagnosed with Mycoplasma as well as long standing asthma. My pulmonologist put me on both Xolair and Zithromax. The combo has worked well – however the insurance company would only allow a prescription to cover 6 days – which made treating a well established infection far more tedious than it ought to have been.

“Even eight years ago there was a significant body of research, mostly carried out in Europe showing that there was a fraction of cases of Mycoplasma that required over a year of treatment with a macrolide antibiotic.”

Diane in Knoxville:

“I had asthma for many years. Was on albuterol and Advair. I got an upper respiratory tract infection and was prescribed azithromycin and have no asthma symptoms at all. Its truly a miracle. I had to have two prescriptions filled of azithromycin for my infection until it went away, which included the asthma.”

Of course not every asthma problem is related to an infection and azithromycin is not appropriate for everyone with asthma. The drug can have serious side effects that must be considered before a physician even contemplates antibiotic treatment. Many cases of asthma may be allergic in nature and not susceptible to antibiotic treatment.

A Cure for Asthma?

David Hahn, MD, MS, has written about diagnosis and treatment in such situations in his book, A Cure for Asthma? What Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You-and Why. (People’s Pharmacy Press published it and it is available at PeoplesPharmacy.com.)

What People Say About A Cure for Asthma?

Cynthia in Bethlehem, PA: “Positively Riveting”:

“As I stated reading it was like the book was speaking to me–if only I had found it sooner–but am thankful for discovering the info now-cannot wait to share it with my latest pulmonologist. That in itself is a story.”

Sherri in Kansas City and her son:

“Luckily I found the http://www.asthmastory.com website back in December 2008. I took this information to our asthma specialist, and he agreed to treat my son with azythromycin. It worked!

“After 12 grueling years dealing with asthma, my son no longer has asthma. He has been asthma free since 2009. I have now purchased and passed out seven of these books. I am now purchasing two more books – one for me to keep and one for our asthma specialist who will be seeing my grandson for this same issue – asthma.”

Fred B in Atlanta, GA says, “Besides the holy bible it’s the best book an asthmatic will ever read”:

“Dr. Hahn explained everything perfectly, from the cause to the cure.”

Clem in Houston offered this about his asthma problem:

“I read A CURE FOR ASTHMA?, three (3) times. To make a fifteen (15) week story short, I am symptom free!

“l literally may owe my good health to Dr. David Hahn and THE PEOPLES’ PHARMACY PRESS”

Many physicians will not agree with Dr. Hahn’s hypothesis and we appreciate that his is still a minority view. That said, a doctor with an open mind will find Dr. Hahn’s book of interest. He provides the scientific rationale for his perspective and scientific references to support this approach. You can order a one-hour interview with Dr. Hahn and a patient at this link. Anyone who would like to learn more about Dr. Hahn’s book can find information at this link.