Expert diagnosis and targeted treatment for pneumonia, tuberculosis, fungal lung infections, and complex or recurrent respiratory infections — with specialist microbiological workup and bronchoscopic capability.
Respiratory infections range from common community-acquired pneumonias to complex multidrug-resistant organisms, fungal infections, and mycobacterial disease. While many chest infections resolve with standard GP management, a significant number require the advanced diagnostic capabilities and targeted antibiotic stewardship that only a respiratory specialist can provide.
Recurrent pneumonias, slow-resolving infections, unusual organisms, or infections occurring in immunocompromised patients all warrant specialist evaluation to identify the underlying cause — which may include structural lung disease, immune deficiencies, or occult malignancy.
"When a respiratory infection is slow to resolve, keeps coming back, or occurs in the wrong patient — ask why. The answer often reveals an underlying condition that changes the entire management approach."
Our team has direct access to bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), CT-guided biopsy, and specialist microbiology services — enabling definitive diagnosis where other approaches have failed.
Our pulmonologists manage the full spectrum of lower respiratory tract infections, from common community-acquired presentations to rare and complex cases.
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) — bacterial, atypical, and viral
Hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP/VAP)
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) — active disease and latent TB management
Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease — MAC, abscessus, kansasii
Fungal lung infections — aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis
Recurrent or slow-resolving pneumonia — investigation for underlying cause
Infections in immunocompromised hosts — transplant, HIV, chemotherapy patients
Post-COVID-19 pulmonary complications and long COVID respiratory sequelae
A systematic, stepwise approach to identify the causative organism, assess severity, and deliver targeted, effective treatment.
Thorough history including travel, occupation, immune status, and antibiotic history. Physical examination with assessment of severity using validated tools (CURB-65, PSI).
Sputum culture and sensitivity, urinary antigen testing (pneumococcal, Legionella), respiratory viral panels, mycobacterial culture, and serology for atypical organisms.
Where sputum results are non-diagnostic, flexible bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage enables direct sampling from the affected lung segment — the most sensitive diagnostic technique available.
Organism-directed antibiotic, antifungal, or antimycobacterial therapy. Post-treatment CT chest to confirm resolution and exclude underlying structural or malignant pathology.
Treatment is always tailored to the identified or suspected organism, the patient's clinical status, immune function, and risk factors — never one-size-fits-all.
Get In TouchOrganism-directed antibiotic selection based on culture sensitivities, local resistance patterns, and patient factors — including intravenous therapy for severe pneumonia where required.
Supervised multi-drug therapy regimens (RHEZ, etc.) for active TB, guided by drug sensitivities. NTM treatment protocols tailored to species (MAC, abscessus) and disease severity.
Azole therapy for aspergillosis and other fungal infections, guided by bronchoalveolar lavage cultures, serum galactomannan, and Beta-D-glucan levels.
Therapeutic bronchoscopy for retained secretions, obstructed airways, or lung abscess drainage. Airway clearance physiotherapy coordination for bronchiectasis-related infections.
Structured follow-up including repeat CT chest to confirm radiological resolution and exclude an underlying malignancy masquerading as infection — especially in smokers and older patients.
See a pulmonologist if: your pneumonia is not improving after 5–7 days of appropriate antibiotics, you have had more than 2 pneumonias in 12 months, you are immunocompromised, your GP has identified an unusual organism, or a follow-up chest X-ray shows incomplete resolution after 6 weeks.
Australia has one of the lowest TB rates in the world (<10 cases per 100,000), but TB remains important in overseas-born residents, immunocompromised patients, and people with a history of travel to high-prevalence countries. It should be considered in any patient with unexplained prolonged cough, weight loss, or night sweats.
BAL is performed during flexible bronchoscopy. A small amount of saline is instilled into the affected lung segment and then aspirated — washing cells, microorganisms, and debris from deep within the airways. It provides a highly sensitive culture sample for bacteria, fungi, mycobacteria, and viruses that sputum tests often miss.
Severe or incompletely treated pneumonias can lead to bronchiectasis, post-infectious obliterative bronchiolitis, or pulmonary fibrosis. This is why specialist follow-up after a significant pneumonia is important — to ensure complete resolution and identify any structural damage early.
Active pulmonary TB is infectious via airborne transmission and requires respiratory isolation until your sputum cultures become negative — typically after 2–3 weeks of effective treatment. Our team works closely with public health services to manage contact tracing and ensure safe, discreet care.
If your respiratory infection isn't resolving — or keeps coming back — our specialists can find the answers and the right treatment.