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Are Chest Pain, Bone Infection And Pain Below The Sternum Suggestive Of Septicemia?
Question: An employee of mine is in jail. He has had an infected tooth which was not treated properly and has been oozing pus out of the gum for 6 months, swelling in face and blackening his eye, basically an improperly treated abscessed tooth. Last week finally forced jail to get him to a decent oral surgeon who found bone infection, loss of bone in jaw and sinuses and raging infection. Surgery planned next week. for over 2 weeks he has been reporting "feeling funny" internally with pain in left side and other spots,, heavy pressure beneath his sternum, for last 2 days stabbing pains in his heart and tiny pricks like little electric shocks in his heart. I fear he has septicemia with ongoing damage to heart and internal organs and could die from heart or organ failure if he doesn't get proper medical treatment ASAP. Is there any less serious possibility that I am overlooking?
Brief Answer:
He is not likley to have septcemia at this time!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
This is a chronic infection and the fact that pus drains makes it very unlikely that it will cause septicemia at this time. This is so because the germs preferentially drain to the outside and not into blood. At this time, I will recommend you don't press on as this will not be very justified and necessary.
IN all, these symptoms are not suggestive of acute septicemia and do not need the procedure to be brought closer.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.
He is not likley to have septcemia at this time!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.
This is a chronic infection and the fact that pus drains makes it very unlikely that it will cause septicemia at this time. This is so because the germs preferentially drain to the outside and not into blood. At this time, I will recommend you don't press on as this will not be very justified and necessary.
IN all, these symptoms are not suggestive of acute septicemia and do not need the procedure to be brought closer.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The patient is scheduled for surgery on Thursday to remove 3 teeth and much deteriorated bone and to treat massive cellulitis in his face. Blood samples were taken today to assess potential for septicemia and organ damage. Continues to have pressure in chest, and various pains around heart and internal organs. Hopefully blood work will help diagnosis. Jail still is not providing any antibiotics. It will be up to the oral surgeon to decide if malpractice is involved.
Brief Answer:
Let me know how the surgery goes!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If there is full blown cellulitis, I will caution that he receives at least 2days of antibiotics before surgery is done on this area. Appears the prison persons haven't been caring enough to have allowed an inmate develop much full blown infection that seems to be extending before taking meaningful action.
I wish him a successful surgery and a quick recovery. Keep me updated on this.
Let me know how the surgery goes!
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If there is full blown cellulitis, I will caution that he receives at least 2days of antibiotics before surgery is done on this area. Appears the prison persons haven't been caring enough to have allowed an inmate develop much full blown infection that seems to be extending before taking meaningful action.
I wish him a successful surgery and a quick recovery. Keep me updated on this.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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