my husband has aspiration pneumonia. he wants continue to eat normally but dcts feel he will aspirate a get worse each time?

Hello Anon

Thank you for writing.

For the benefit of our readers - unlike viral and/or bacterial pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia is a lung infection that starts with the inhalation/aspiration of oropharyngeal, gastric contents or foreign particles into the lower airway passages. The taking-in of the foreign particles may occur via the mouth, when partially digested contents of the stomach, tiny food particles from the mouth, mouth secretions dribble into the lower air ducts.

Once they reach the lungs, an infection slowly develops at the place where the foreign particles have lodged themselves.

Symptoms of Aspiration Pneumonia are fairly similar to those of Pneumotitis or Acquired-Pneumonia such as those of high fever, tachycardia (a state of rapid heart rate), altered mental state, tachypnea (a state of rapid shallow breathing), railing, hypoxemia (condition of reduced oxygen level in the blood that results in bluish discoloration of the skin), pleural friction rub and in severe cases septic shock and hipoxia (pathological condition where the body tissues are deprived of adequate oxygen) etc.

Treatment options include the following:

Antibiotics-
Antibiotics are used to treat aspiration pneumonia. Sometimes a person may need to go to the hospital to receive antibiotics directly into their veins through an IV (or intravenous catheter). In other cases, antibiotics taken by mouth may be used to treat the infection.

Breathing Assistance
Some people may have trouble breathing due to aspiration pneumonia. In severe cases, a person may be placed on a machine to help with breathing.

Anon, it is advisable that your husband follow his doctor's directions.
Best,
Susan