Concerns About Worsening Cellulitis Infection
My husband has been prescribed Bactrim to treat cellulitis affecting his knee. Today marks the third day of his antibiotic course, and unfortunately, the sore on his knee has been oozing bloody pus continuously during this time. The condition appears to have deteriorated compared to how it looked before his visit to the doctor. Although he reports that the pain has diminished somewhat, the wound remains quite unsightly despite our efforts to cleanse it daily with saline solution. Additionally, he has developed a second area of concern on his calf, which initially was just a minor blemish. However, it has now progressed to show increasing redness, accompanied by noticeable swelling and hardness in the calf region. I believe it's essential for us to return to the doctor tomorrow for further evaluation. Our previous visit to urgent care was frustrating; the physician spent less than two minutes with us, offering no treatment for the wound—simply advising that we return if his condition worsened. Given that he is not exhibiting signs of sepsis, should we wait to visit the emergency room, or should we seek out urgent care again to insist they properly clean the wound and perhaps consider a different antibiotic?
Answers (1)
7/29/2025, 6:31:13 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about your husband's worsening cellulitis infection, especially given the new symptoms and the persistent oozing. Here’s a structured approach to addressing these issues:
Main Points:
- The worsening condition and new symptoms are concerning, which may require prompt medical evaluation.
- While he currently does not show signs of sepsis (such as fever, chills, or confusion), ongoing changes in the affected areas warrant closer monitoring and potential intervention.
Explanation:
Cellulitis is a skin infection that can become serious if it spreads or does not respond to treatment. The draining of bloody pus and the development of a new inflamed area on his calf suggests that the infection may not be resolving effectively with Bactrim. This can happen if the bacteria causing the infection are resistant to the antibiotic or if there is another underlying issue.
Taking into account the situation with previous medical consultations, it's important to ensure he receives proper care to address the infection effectively.
Next Steps:
-
Urgent Medical Evaluation: Seek urgent care or a primary physician as soon as possible, especially given the new symptoms on the calf. Be clear about the timeline, the oozing, and the new swelling when you explain the situation. This is critical to ensuring he gets the appropriate treatment.
-
Documentation: Take notes or photographs of the affected areas over the next few hours. This can help convey the severity of the situation to healthcare providers.
-
Wound Care: Continue to gently cleanse the knee and calf areas with saline, but avoid aggressive scrubbing. Keep the area clean and covered to prevent further irritation and protect it from bacteria.
-
Prepare for Questions: Be prepared to discuss the timeline of symptoms, any changes you’ve noticed, and the effectiveness of the current antibiotics. This information can help doctors make better-informed decisions on the treatment needed.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep observing his temperature and note any new symptoms such as increased pain, fever, or other systemic symptoms which could indicate a worsening infection.
Your concerns are valid, and being proactive about seeking care can lead to better management of your husband’s condition. Please ensure he receives the medical attention needed to prevent any complications. Let me know if you need further clarification or assistance!
Related Questions
Experiencing Blue Vomit
Yesterday, I endured a lengthy car journey that lasted more than ten hours, which also included a visit to a construction site for work purposes. During this trip, I was given a single-use plastic water bottle, and I ended up consuming a significant amount of water from it. I even poured the contents into my empty reusable water bottle. However, the water had an unpleasant taste, reminiscent of being washed with an excessive amount of dish soap. After the journey, I enjoyed a hearty meal followed by some instant noodles upon my return home. Unfortunately, today has brought me severe aches and pain across my back and body. Since this morning, I have been unable to keep any food down and have been repeatedly vomiting the water I've tried to drink, which is strangely blue in color. I'm left wondering whether I could be suffering from poisoning. Should I continue to wait it out and risk more vomiting, or is it advisable to seek medical attention? Additionally, I can't help but consider whether these symptoms may be related to my menstrual cycle, as I am due for my period either today or tomorrow.
Discomfort and Limited Mobility in the Shoulder Joint
I am a 21-year-old, standing at 194 cm and weighing 98 kg. Earlier this week, I engaged in my chest workout with a slightly higher intensity than usual. Initially, my shoulders felt a bit sore, but I brushed it off as a normal response. However, after five days, I've encountered a recurring issue: when I find myself in a squat position (with my hips lower than my knees) and attempt to reach for something behind me—without twisting my torso and solely by extending my arm—my shoulder begins to ache. It’s not excruciating but enough to be bothersome. Is this likely a temporary condition, or would it be wise to consult a medical professional?
Understanding Post-Sexual Bleeding
My girlfriend and I, both 20 years old, engaged in sexual activity earlier today. I identify as trans, but I still possess female anatomy. During our intimate moment, she was using her fingers, and at one point, she slipped out, which might have caused a scratch. Since that incident, I've noticed bleeding whenever I urinate, accompanied by a burning sensation. I reached out to a healthcare clinic for advice, and they suggested that it might be due to a ruptured blood vessel. Now, I'm left wondering whether this is a temporary issue that will resolve itself with time.
Experiencing Hallucinations Before Fainting
Recently, I found myself feeling dizzy and nearly fainting after spending prolonged hours digging trenches under the intense sun. I'm 23 years old, with no existing health conditions, not currently on any medications, a bit overweight, and I have a poor diet along with a sedentary lifestyle. The faintness I felt was similar to the sensation one experiences when standing up too quickly, but it escalated to the point where I began having vivid hallucinations—seeing figures that weren’t present and birds that are not native to the area. As soon as I recognized what was happening, I dropped down and sought refuge in the shade, which helped me recover almost immediately. This episode occurred about a week ago, and it's becoming a source of concern for me. I can’t help but wonder if this could indicate a serious underlying issue or if such occurrences are commonplace. I’m contemplating whether to make an appointment with my doctor, though I’m hesitant to do so if it might be a trivial matter.
Strategies for Managing a Persistent Cough
As a woman in my late twenties, I've been enduring a seemingly unending cough since 2016, which followed episodes of sore throat, fever, or cold. This cough is often ignited by an irritating tickle in my throat. It typically lingers for about three to four months and can sometimes become quite severe. In 2019, the intensity of my coughing was so great that I ended up tearing a muscle. Consequently, I visited my physician who then referred me to a lung specialist. After undergoing a series of breathing tests over three years, I was informed that the results were generally normal, which left me feeling rather disheartened. Despite my efforts to manage the symptoms—such as using lozenges, cough syrups, hot tea, honey, and even codeine prescribed by my doctor—I find myself facing the same predicament every year. My mother suggested that perhaps my symptoms might be tied to postnasal drip, as she has experienced something similar along with persistent coughing. She found relief from a nasal spray her doctor recommended. However, my prior experiences with nasal sprays for similar issues did not yield significant improvements, leading me to question whether postnasal drip could actually be the root of my problem. Last year, a co-worker recommended that I consult an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, which seemed like a logical course of action given my ongoing symptoms. The ENT doctor performed an examination using a camera inserted through my nose and also determined that everything looked normal. He suggested prescribing medication to neurologically regulate coughing, but I rejected that idea as it felt too drastic, and I was convinced other solutions might exist. Each time I find myself falling ill, I feel an overwhelming sense of defeat. For instance, I caught a cold during a trip to Japan last year, and my persistent cough made me feel awful for the couple seated near me on the flight home. The woman constantly covered her face due to my incessant coughing, which was both embarrassing and exhausting. What are some effective steps I can take to alleviate this persistent cough? I'm searching for solutions that might truly work!