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My father-in-law is in ICU on a vent. The current diagnosis is aspiration pneumonia and sepsis. He's a longtime smoker, probably in his early 60s. He started feeling ill about 3 days ago. He experienced trouble balancing and walking and shortness of breath but refused medical care until his mentation became altered and his wife finally called EMS.
My husband keeps asking me questions and some of them are easy, like explaining aspiration pneumonia but when he asks about prognosis I'm lost. I work in veterinary medicine so things are obviously different. My mother-in-law says people at the hospital keep telling her that he's very sick, so I'm thinking it's not good. Are there any medical pros or people who have experience with this that can help me out?
Aspiration pneumonia occurs when a substance such as a liquid , is introduced into the lungs. It could be a small partial of food or drink.
The substance begins to be attacked by bacteria, so the lungs become infected. Unlike the digestive track, the lungs are not equipped to handle foreign matter.
Sepsis refers to infection. He is probably being treated with a broad spectrum anti-biotic administered intravenously.
As far as prognosis, you and your husband should speak to his doctors.
No one here is going to be able to give you a prognosis on your father in law. Folks here can speculate but that's all they will be doing. The doctors treating him are the only ones in a position to address such a question.
I hope that you've found the answers you're looking for. You and your husband should demand to speak with the doctor. The nurses might not be able to explain fully what's going on, either for liability or time constraints. You might even need to set up a consult with the doctor for a full explanation. Make sure to ask what they're giving him, what the treatment plan is, etc. Good luck and sending prayers that way.
No one here is going to be able to give you a prognosis on your father in law. Folks here can speculate but that's all they will be doing. The doctors treating him are the only ones in a position to address such a question.
Maybe I should have been more clear. Speculation is all I'm asking for. I have a decent grasp of the medical facts, I was just interested in people's experiences.
We live 8 hours away and this particular doctor has a history of not communicating well on the phone. We'll be heading out tomorrow and will hopefully be able to get a better idea then.
BTW they have gotten his oxygen down to 50% and his SPO2 has remained pretty decent. He also seems to be responding well to antibiotics. Things are looking better than they were originally, so we'll see.
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