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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Treat The Infection Of Osteomielitas?

Hi my names steve miles im 30yrs old. Afew months ago i contracted osteomilitas( dont think iv spelt that right), i had to have the top rib on my left side taken out. Where the stitches were are ouzzing puss. The Dr who carried out the op said its fine and he was happy after doing a chest x ray, but my GP thinks i still have the infection. I dont no wot to do,my GP has taken a swab and im waiting for the results. Im scared cus on line it says the disease spreads fast ang can be fatal. I suffer badly from depprtion and anxity and im really worried.
Wed, 31 Dec 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and thank you for your question. Osteomyelitis can only be treated with IV antibiotics. It sounds like your GP thought you had a skin infection around the site of the rib removal. Doing a culture is the right thing to do. Once the culture comes back he/she can put you on the correct antibiotics. A CXR would show if there was ongoing osteomyelitis (bone infection) so i is good that that was normal. If you develop severe pain at the site or high fevers you should go to Emergency. Otherwise I think it is okay to wait on the culture results.
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How To Treat The Infection Of Osteomielitas?

Hello and thank you for your question. Osteomyelitis can only be treated with IV antibiotics. It sounds like your GP thought you had a skin infection around the site of the rib removal. Doing a culture is the right thing to do. Once the culture comes back he/she can put you on the correct antibiotics. A CXR would show if there was ongoing osteomyelitis (bone infection) so i is good that that was normal. If you develop severe pain at the site or high fevers you should go to Emergency. Otherwise I think it is okay to wait on the culture results.