Bacterial Load and treatment "success" rate

@cwal This question is very interesting, but I had never thought about it before, so I did some research. What I learned was possibly.

Factors that infer more likely failure to convert to negative include cavitary infection vs nodular, low body mass, and poor nutrition. Lower on the list were extensive infection (large parts of lungs involved) and positive AFB smears (usually indicates presence of more bacteria. )

Positive outcomes increase when the 3 antibiotic regimen is followed, and continues for 12 months after conversion to negative.

There is a lot to read on the subject, I am limited in posting links by being on my phone for this week.
Sue

Thank you for your research and input. When you can post the links I would appreciate it. It is frustrating trying to "Google" for information and find what you're looking for as well as making sure it is a legit info source. It's sad we have to be our own sleuths to understand our disease. It is a rare physician that will take the time or interest in helping to educate us.

I'll try to get to it but am on the road for several more days...here's a tip.
Instead of using regular Google try putting this in the address bar on your browser: scholar.google.com then enter.
Now enter your search terms - the result looks entirely different - it searches research based sources.

Don't be too critical of our docs. Depending on their location and practice their time allotment per patient can be as little as 15-20 minutes, including looking at your records, the visit, and time to document. Many insurance companies refuse to reimburse extra for longer visits, and often their patient load is out of their control. For example my PT was just required by insurance companies to cut his appointment slots from 45 minutes to 40, or they would not continue to reimburse. He is only allowed a longer slot per patient once every 3 months.
Sue

I've been a Mac patient and student for 5 years. I've not come across the bacterial load term nor have I have any test results for that. And I have had a lot of tests.

Thanks for the search tip! I''l try that.
I've worked with lots of different doctors in my employment over the years and I do appreciate them and understand their plight. However, I am tainted by the extremely less than considerate treatment of me as a patient by my current physician. Hopefully, I can locate a different doc one of these days.