skin and soft tissue infections

Question 1

cellulitis

Answer 1

diffuse spreading skin infection

warmth
redness
swelling
tenderness

commonly caused by

group A strep
Staph. aureus (often purulent)

Question 2

Abscess

Answer 2

collection of pus that has built up within the tissue of the body.
primary treatment is surgical drainage

Question 3

Erysipelas

Answer 3

an infection of the upper dermis and superficial lymphatics, usually caused by beta-hemolytic group A Streptococcus bacteria on scratches or otherwise infected areas. Erysipelas is more superficial than cellulitis, and is typically more raised and demarcated

Question 4

necrotizing fasciitis

Answer 4

potentially lethal skin condition

traditionally a strep. pyogenes infection
can be polymicrobial

post surgical
clostrodium perfringens

signs:
cellulitic
systemic signs
pain in excess of findings
loss of sensation
subcutaneous gas

surgical debridement
treat with emperic antibiotics:

meropenem
vancomycin
clindamycin

Question 5

Toxic shock syndrome

Answer 5

s.aureus and s. pyogenes can produce toxins which act as antigens resulting in an extreme immune response.

TSS can be associated with tampon use
nasal packing
catheters