Question: My husband cleaned out the gutters on our house on Wednesday afternoon by climbing on the roof and blowing out the leaves. He told me Wednesday he knew he would be sore and he definitely was sore the next day, specifically in the lower legs. He is 59 and reasonably healthy, though he suffered a disc rupture in 2009 between L4-L5 and has a permanent partial disability because of it. By Thursday, he was definitely sore, but walked and worked it out as best as he could. Friday morning, he went to an early-morning Bible study and came home with fever and chills, shaking violently. I took care of him and put him to bed with some Tylenol and water, came back home from work at lunch, and his temp was about 103. He has no congestion or other flu symptoms. He did tell me his right groin hurts. Today, he has a red and very tender lower right leg, and his groin is swollen, a little bit red, and a slight bruise below the swelling. He can barely walk when he first gets up and says the main soreness is between the knee and the ankles, most predominantly in the lower interior area. The whole calf is red, though. My question is whether this may be cellulitis or could it possibly be another kind of problem? Additionally, do you view that I need to take him in to see an ER doctor at this time? I have been giving him two extra-strength Tylenol, 500 mg, approximately every 6-8 hours.

Dear Dr. Brenes-Salazar, Thank you so much. As I have problems with chronic venous insufficiency, and as I have had cellulitis before myself, I thought this may be the case, and I am hoping to get him in to the doctor then as soon as possible. He has to be agreeable; please keep us in prayer that he will do what is right with me and go see the doctor. Thank you again for your valuable information. Many prayers and blessings for a wonderful Christmas. Sincerely, XXXX