Proton Pump Inhibitors May be tied to respiratory infections

There is dramatic increase in risk of severe respiratory infections during first 2 weeks of starting therapy with Proton Pump Inhibitors ( Protonix, Nexium, Prilosec etc. )
While the mechanism for this association is unknown, the most common hypothesis is that reduction of gastric acid allows certain gastric pathogen to flourish and infect gastrointestinal tract or the lungs. This findings were reported by Dr. Tagownik at Canadian Digestive Diseases Week.