my daughter has an open wound under her arm as she had an operation for an abscess so has to kept open shes?

Question

seen by the nurse everyday but last night came down with flu like symptons with a slight fever an alot of pain in her arm. i took her to the docs first thing an they've taken a swab for MRSA but told me its gona take seven days for the results to come back but i feel thats to long what can i do.

she has an infection in it at the min shes been on antibiotis for 11 days but the doc has said they have done nothing so has given her stronger ones but these are making her sick.

Answer 1

If she does have MRSA, the antibiotics of choice would be Septra or Bactrim and Rifampin. I don't know what antibiotic therapy your daughter is on, but from my experience (I am a nurse) these are the two most commonly used antibiotics.

I recommend keeping her on the antibiotics the doctor has prescribed. If they are making her sick, try giving them with food, unless there's a label on the bottle stating otherwise. If she really cannot tolerate the antibiotics, you should call the doctor and advise his nurse of this.

With the swab that the doctor took to test for MRSA he also tested for what antibiotics will work in treating your daughter's infection.

Try to make sure your daughter is drinking plenty of water, especially if she has a fever. If she becomes lethargic (sleepy all the time and difficult to wake up, not eating, no energy) and you are worried, I would take her to the local emergency room.

Answer 2

Are they applying anything at all to the wound? A dry or foam dressing, anything?

I did a scientific research proposal on the use of honey to treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including MRSA. It sounds kind of crazy, but mixing honey with some water -- not HOT water, that will nullify the effects -- and applying it will probably help and won't hurt.
There have been a LOT of studies on this, especially in Aus. where apparently they have been using this for a long time. My family now uses honey and water for everything. It speeds healing and gets rid of any sort of infection we've run across so far, and it is great for burns.

Answer 3

To confirm MRSA it takes three swabs however approximately 60% of people have MRSA this is not a problem untill it infects an area it should not be in, there are antibiotics that will kill the resistant strep bacterium, it just needs diagnosing, at the end of the day it is your call you can request a second oppinion or you can pitch up at A&E (ED) during the day sit arround all day and get it swabed there, if they suspect MRSA the lab will prosess the swab as fast as they can. I suspect if the GP thought it was MRSA they would of prescribed Vanc or another antibiotic.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, there is only one antibiotic left (Vancomycin) that kills MRSA, and the bacteria is already becoming resistant to the last antibiotic. So, doctors can't take any chances by giving vancomycin when it isn't needed. It takes at least 4 days for the culture test. There is a DNA test that identifies resistant strains, and only takes hours, but the test is new and not widely available. in the mean time, the wound needs to be kept drained and kept as sterile as possible by using antiseptics.

Answer 5

Firstly cultures and sensitivities take no more than 72 hours and are in fact usually available direct from the lab, or by direct computer link, which many GP practices now have, in 48 hours.

Secondly 'stronger' is perhaps not the best word to use when talking about antibiotics. They are different with different coverage spectrums and where possible, unless the patient is toxic and unwell, should only be prescribed or changed when sensitivities are known.

Answer 6

Sickness due to antibiotics is not uncommon. I am on long term anti biotics and have to take anti sickness tablets all the time. They help so much. May make her drowsy for first few days but that will go away. Try and give her plenty of fluids and keep moaning at your GP so they will try and speed results etc. Do not show her that you are worried as this will stress her. Stick with it and good luck. x

Answer 7

Due to the infection & doses of probably high anti-biotics, if she is also has diahrea w/stomach pain?
Suggest you start her on something like Propel Fitness Water or one of the other Fortified Waters(no caffeine or high sugars). Look in Dairy Cases for either the DanActive Immunity drinks or the Immunity Yogurts. These should help build her Natural defense.
If it persists for more than 24 hr.s longer, I would either demand your personal physician look at her or take her back & raise the roof till someone rechecks her!

Answer 8

there isn't a blessed thing you can do. Growing a bacterial culture simply takes time, and they must identify the organism before they can treat it correctly. You wouldn't want them to willy nilly give her a medication that will do no good would you? I think not. In the meantime, your daughter needs supportive care in the form of dressing changes and pain management which I should think have already been arranged for. But you must be patient, no one can make an organism like MRSA grow any faster than it is going to grow.

Answer 9

i know how she feels. the wound has to be open in order for it to heal properly. i've had three on my bottom! there nasty! it sounds like the wound has been infected and to be honest the nurse she has been seeing should of picked it up earlier. seven days is a very long time to wait. speak to the dr again and ask exactly what your supposed to do in the mean time, speed is of the essence i would of thought, has she been given antibiotics?

Answer 10

Its too previous due for stitches via this element. Its actual that the injuries and abscess might desire to be drained, yet you pick the vet to take a check out it so as that he grants you the required stuff to flush out the abscess and positioned antibiotic goo in it (and its made for animals :) }