Treatment Options for Lung Abscess
Most cases of lung abscesses can be treated successfully with the use of antibiotics only. Your doctor may prescribe a combination of broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs to help manage the symptoms. These medications can be injected intravenously for 4 to 6 weeks until the abscess is not seen any more on imaging tests. When parasites or fungi cause the condition, the treatment may last up to 6 months.
When antibiotics do not work for your lung abscess, your doctor may suggest a postural drainage and lung physiotherapy. Drainage can be either endobronchial (via an endobronchial and bronchoscopy ultrasound) or percutaneous (via the chest wall). The former option tends to be better as it is centrally located and may help reduce the risk of puncturing the lung. However, the later option is more common. [10]
