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Suggest Treatment For Staph Abscess On Finger

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Posted on Mon, 29 Dec 2014
Question: Hello,

To make a long story short, I had an INTERNAL staph abscess in my finger rupture. I felt an immediate rush of bacteria rushing to other parts of my body. I waited three hours, and took Clindamycin to slow down, eventually stop the abscess leak. By the way, I didn't take Clindamycin on that day, until the incident happened, so it was not currently active in my bloodstream.

I think some of the bacteria got to my brain. I have been feeling brain fog ever since. I have also been feeling some small pain in my body, like that slight infection heat type of feel, but I am most concerned about my brain. It happened on late Monday evening. I heard brain bacteria infections are rare, but they are possible. I mean look at Lyme's Disease, chlamydia left untreated, so it is possible. I know doctor's usually look for visible or measurable things to determine an infection like temperature (mines was normal last night), but I am sure something is wrong. I am catching this early, so the symptoms are probably not full blown. Think about it like this, someone is having a stroke, but catches it early, so there will be less damage, right?

I have told two doctors, one a GP and the other an orthopaedic, that I still had abscess in my finger despite being on Clindamycin for two week, but they didn't listen and I almost lost my life. So, my trust in doctors is not at an all time high. So, anyways, I have two options to solve this problem... Go to the ER and demand a Doxycline in pill form or IV or take some Doxycline pills I have left over before I switched over to Clindamycin. I only took one day's worth of Doxycline before switching over. I am thinking ER. I just don't want to get screwed over again, and having to end up paying all that money. I am fine, just a bit out of sort.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Little chance of brain infection, unless immuno-compromised

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome to HCM
I understand your concern.
If the abscess bursts into a blood vessel there will be bacteremia and septicemia.
It is possible that the organism can go to all parts of the body including the brain.
We are blessed with an excellent blood brain barrier with very good defence cells, which prevent the organism from getting into it.
After the antibiotics you have had, the organisms would be very weakened,if not dead, and would not be strong enough to get through the defence.
So relax, there is nothing to worry about a brain infection, unless you are immunocompromised.
As for the finger, you could see the orthopaedic surgeon and he/she would examine and let you know what needs to be done.
I am available if you have further queries.
Best wishes,
Dr Noble Zachariah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Noble Zachariah (1 hour later)
Thanks doctor. I may go to the ER. Yes, I did have some problems with my immune system in the past. I am a few months removed from long-term mercury poisoned. Also, I had some test ran on me a few years ago, saying that I have some auto-immune condition. What I do not know? The only thing I can tell you that I had a bout of leaky gut when I was dealing with mercury poisoning, which could lead to more dysfunction of the immune system. I will give you a very high rating when I get a chance.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Thank you. would be interested in your progress.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you.
Please let me know the opinion of the ER doctor, if you go.
Hope you would have recovered from your past problems and that your immune system is in good shape to deal with any possible infection.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Noble Zachariah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 2319 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Staph Abscess On Finger

Brief Answer: Little chance of brain infection, unless immuno-compromised Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to HCM I understand your concern. If the abscess bursts into a blood vessel there will be bacteremia and septicemia. It is possible that the organism can go to all parts of the body including the brain. We are blessed with an excellent blood brain barrier with very good defence cells, which prevent the organism from getting into it. After the antibiotics you have had, the organisms would be very weakened,if not dead, and would not be strong enough to get through the defence. So relax, there is nothing to worry about a brain infection, unless you are immunocompromised. As for the finger, you could see the orthopaedic surgeon and he/she would examine and let you know what needs to be done. I am available if you have further queries. Best wishes, Dr Noble Zachariah