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How Can An Infected Pilonidal Cyst Be Treated?
Question: Hello, this may a be an odd question and I apologize. I have a pilonidal cyst that had been infected in the past. Sometimes, I would leak pus and blood and leave stains on my clothes. I am concerned that I may have caused some people in my building to get sick. Is pus like this scenario extremely harmful if it is exposed to others? Would it have to get in another person's wound or swallowed to show potential threat? I no longer am leaking as I have been prescribed with antibiotics, but I am still concerned with the exposure should it become infected again. How hazardous is pus to another person? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Follow up...
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking Healthcaremagic.
I am Dr.Endri Katto and I will be answering your questions.
I have gone through your questions and my answer is as follows:
Pus from a pilonidal cyst contains dead cells (white cells) and bacteria.
The only way to harm another person with this kind of pus is through contact only.
There are two ways to harm other people:
- if they have an open wound and they get in contact with the pus from your pilonidal cyst. The wound might get infected, but in most of the cases their immune system will destroy the bacteria without causing any harm.
- if someone swallows the pus. They might get gastroenteritis or other types of infection of the gastro-intestinal tract. Once again, this is very rare to happen because the acidity in the stomach will mostly kill all the bacteria.
If none of these situations happen, then NO ONE will be infected by you. So there is nothing to be worried here.
Now let's get back to you. You should remove your pilonidal cyst through surgery. This is the only treatment. The antibiotics will only provide symptomatic relief.
If you have any other question, don't hesitate to contact me.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Endri Katro
Follow up...
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking Healthcaremagic.
I am Dr.Endri Katto and I will be answering your questions.
I have gone through your questions and my answer is as follows:
Pus from a pilonidal cyst contains dead cells (white cells) and bacteria.
The only way to harm another person with this kind of pus is through contact only.
There are two ways to harm other people:
- if they have an open wound and they get in contact with the pus from your pilonidal cyst. The wound might get infected, but in most of the cases their immune system will destroy the bacteria without causing any harm.
- if someone swallows the pus. They might get gastroenteritis or other types of infection of the gastro-intestinal tract. Once again, this is very rare to happen because the acidity in the stomach will mostly kill all the bacteria.
If none of these situations happen, then NO ONE will be infected by you. So there is nothing to be worried here.
Now let's get back to you. You should remove your pilonidal cyst through surgery. This is the only treatment. The antibiotics will only provide symptomatic relief.
If you have any other question, don't hesitate to contact me.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Endri Katro
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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