Concerns About Worsening Cellulitis in My Husband
My husband, aged 45, started a course of antibiotics last Friday due to cellulitis affecting his knee. Today marks the third full day of medication, and I've noticed that the sore on his knee has been exuding bloody pus, making it appear worse than prior to his doctor's visit. Although he mentions that the pain has decreased somewhat, the wound remains quite unpleasant despite our efforts to clean it daily with saline. Additionally, there's now a second area on his calf that initially appeared minor, but it has since developed significant redness. His calf has also become hard and swollen. I feel concerned enough to consider taking him back to the doctor tomorrow. The last visit to urgent care was rather brief—the doctor spent under two minutes with us, failing to properly clean or dress the wound and merely instructed us to return if there were any further issues. Given that he exhibits no signs of sepsis, is this situation critical enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room, or should we revisit urgent care for a more thorough evaluation and possibly a different antibiotic prescription? He is a non-smoker and currently takes no medications.
Answers (1)
7/29/2025, 8:01:44 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're understandably concerned about your husband's condition, especially with the development of bloody pus and new redness on his calf. While he reports some pain relief, the worsening appearance of the wound and initial symptoms are indeed troubling.
Main Points:
- Worsening symptoms such as bloody pus and increased redness indicate a potential issue with the infection.
- The new area of redness and swelling could suggest that the cellulitis is spreading or that a second infection is occurring.
Explanation:
Cellulitis can sometimes take a few days to respond to antibiotics, but if things appear worse, it could mean that the bacteria causing the infection are resistant to the current antibiotic or that further intervention is needed. The presence of bloody pus and new swelling calls for careful monitoring and possibly a change in management.
Next Steps:
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Reassess the Wound: Continue to clean the wound gently with saline and keep it covered with a clean bandage, if advised. Monitor for any additional changes in size and appearance.
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Contact the Healthcare Provider: Since the situation has worsened, it is best to reach out to your husband’s doctor or another healthcare professional to discuss these developments. This may be by calling the office directly for advice or to request an urgent visit.
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Emergency Care Consideration: If at any point your husband develops symptoms such as increased fever, chills, severe pain, or widespread swelling, it would be appropriate to seek emergency care.
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Prepare for the Visit: When you speak to the doctor or go to urgent care, it would be helpful to describe the changes you’ve noticed, including the nature of the discharge and the condition of the newly affected area on his calf. This information can assist in determining whether a different treatment is necessary.
Taking these actions can help ensure your husband receives the necessary care to address his infection appropriately. Don’t hesitate to advocate for a thorough evaluation if you feel his needs are not being met.
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