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Suffering From Cellulitis. Took Antibiotic. Now Redness On Gums And Distended Abdomen. Related?

Posted on Fri, 26 Apr 2013

Question: Hi XXXXXXX I am a CNA caring for an 85 year old man who has Parkinson's. He has been in the hospital 2 times in the last three week with the occurrence of a red rash on the lower right leg. Cellulitus was ruled out, and bacterial cultures have turned up negative. With a does of antibiotics given intravenously and after 5 days of observation he was sent home feeling better and in good spirits. Tonight he is back in the hospital with the same symptoms but a distended stomach and two days ago, a caregiver noticed that he was having trouble with his gums, redness and a dental visit was scheduled for next week. Also, it was the first time that a rapid heartbeat was observed. Could there be any correlation between the infection noticed in his gums and the unexplained rash?

Answered by Dr. Rohan Khandelwal (4 hours later)

Dear Sir,

Sorry to hear about the problem. By your history it seems like the patient is suffering from septicemia, which is generalized infection. That can explain the rash and the distended abdomen. The oral sores can be explained due to the antibiotics which he was receiving. He should he investigated for infection by carrying out a blood culture. Abdominal detention can also be due to intestinal obstruction and that should be ruled out by an x XXXXXXX or ct. Such a condition is common in patients with parkinson's.
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Hope i have answered your query. Please feel free to clarify any other query.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar