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Adult Onset Asthma

Dear Dr. Kagen,

I AQUIRED CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIA LAST YEAR WHICH TRIGGERED STEROID DEPENDENT ASTHMA. I NEVER HAD ASTHMA .

QUESTION - ONCE ASTHMA IS TRIGGERED, WILL A PERSON HAVE ASTHMA FOR LIFE OR WILL IT GO AWAY?

THANKS FOR THE RESPONSE.

Thanks for asking about Chlamydia infections and the onset of asthma.

Chlamydia is one of a very few infections that may induce wheezing and possibly life-long asthma in its victims. No one knows for sure how chlamydia does this, but some researchers have found that with adequate treatment with antibiotics, the asthma may resolve over time. Just how long is any ones guess.

Once steroid dependence has set in, it would be rare for the asthma symptoms to completely disappear.

If I developed asthma following such an infection, I would want to be taking antibiotics specific for chlamydia for at least 3-4 weeks to be certain that the infection was totally resolved.

I hope this info is helpful. Good luck.

Steve Kagen, M.D.
Allernet.com