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windchymes -> RE: Quick Medical Advice (2/18/2007 5:32:18 AM)
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Krissy, "septic shock" means that bacteria got into his bloodstream. They multiply, die, and also give off waste that is called "endotoxins", which is really simple terms is bacteria poop. When these toxins that the bacteria gave off build up in the blood stream, the body cannot get rid of it all quickly enough, so the kidneys and liver become overloaded and can shut down, which causes death. Jim Henson (the muppet guy) died from it, I believe his was caused by a strain of strep.
Staph is a very common cause of boils. We all have staph (along with millions of other bacteria) swarming all over our bodies at all times. Gross, but we usually don't notice it. If one bacterium (or bug) manages to get under the skin, it sets up house and multiplies like crazy. The pus in a boil is actually the white blood cells that your body has sent to try to eat up (think PacMan) the bacteria, but the bacteria multiplies much faster than the body can send white blood cells. So, bacteria keep on multiplying, and the body keeps sending wbc's, it accumulates under the skin, and you have a boil.
You don't necessarily need blood work per se, unless you suddenly develop a high fever, in which case the doc should order blood cultures to be drawn. That will actually show if you do have bacteria growing in your bloodstream. They should, however ,do what is called a "culture and sensitivity" on the pus from the boil, especially the new one. The "culture" grows the actual bacteria on a plate so that it can be identified....there are many strains of staph and strep, so this way, they can tell exactly which one is growing. There is a chance that it's not staph or strep at all, but another bug called "pseudomonas", which frequently causes skin infections. Then, when they have identified the bug, they test it, the bug itself, with many different antibiotics to figure out which antibiotic will do the best job at killing that bug. It also tells them if any antibiotics have no effect at all on it, i.e., if that bacteria is "resistant" to a particular antibiotic. It sounds like you might be immune or resistant to the antibiotic you took for the first boil, and you might benefit from another stronger one.
You say you sweat a lot. Bacteria thrive in warm moist areas. It definitely might be making you more susceptible to skin infections. Maybe an extra shower or two a day might help? (I'm NOT suggesting you're not clean! It would just help wash away sweat and bacteria that decided it was happy and started to hyper-multiply!)
I see you live in Mount Holly. The hospital systems are pretty good up that way, but if you don't get good treatment or answers, don't be afraid to cross the river and be seen by UPenn, or Jefferson. :) Also, even though you have an appointment next week, if you start to run a high fever, get to an emergency room right away so they can check it out and start treatment right away.
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