'A Patient Voice' Community

hello, L --

below is an explanation of the relevant science as i have extrapolated it from an admittedly quickie internet search tonight. however, you should keep in mind that i am not a medical person (see PS1). you also need to know that i am assuming your diagnosis is pneumonia; is this correct?


when the body is infected with bacteria or some other toxin, the immune system produces antibodies as a defense. IgG stands for "immunoglobulin G," the most plentiful class of antibodies. it appears in the blood in response to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and foreign particles.

to determine the presence/level of bacteria or other toxins in the blood, various tests will measure the presence/level of antibodies; these tests are called antibody assays (PS2). from what i understand, the term "antibody assay" is a blanket reference to tests that measure antibodies; it does not refer to a particular brand or test technology.

chlamydophila pneumoniae (also denominated c. pneumoniae, previously called chlamydia pneumoniae) is a particular kind of bacteria that can be identified thru IgG antibody assays. tests for chlamydophila pneumoniae are used primarily to diagnose pneumonia but are sometimes indicative of other diseases as well. however, because the term "IgG antibody assay" does not refer to a specific brand or test technology, it is impossible to report the accuracy of any of these assays unless you know the specific test that was used. do you?

the preferred treatment to combat chlamydophila pneumoniae is 100 mg doxycycline -- an antibiotic -- twice/day; however, since your dosage makes you nauseated, you might want to ask your dr about a second approved protocol, which is 100 mg doxycycline once/day (do not change your dosage without talking with your dr first). other antibiotics (PS3) can also be used to treat chlamydophila pneumoniae, so you might want to ask your dr about those in addition.


i don't know what to advise you about the necessity of getting an x-ray or other type of diagnostic radiograph (PS4). do you have some doubt about your diagnosis? a chest x-ray can confirm a diagnosis of pneumonia. other tests often used to confirm a diagnosis of pneumonia include blood cultures, urine tests, sputum tests, chest CTs.


i send you caring thoughts and hope you will be feeling better soon. please write back if i have misunderstood your inquiry, and i'll give it another go-round!

-- susie margaret

PS1 -- i welcome, solicit, and indeed beg for correction, amendment, or replacement of any inaccuracies in this post.

PS2 -- chlamydophila trachomatis (also denominated c. trachomatis, previously called chlamydia trachomatis) is a particular kind of bacteria that can be identified thru IgG antibody assays; tests for chlamydolphila trachomatis are often used to detect sources of infection in women or men that might be interfering with fertility.

PS3 -- my personal experience is that antibiotic therapy for any illness always causes a yeast infection, but i don't know if that happens with everyone. in any event, yeast infections can easily be treated with over-the-counter meds.

PS4 -- a radiograph is the image produced by x-rays, gamma rays, or other types of radiation.