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How Contagious Is A Pus Filled Boil On The Abdomen?
I have a boil on my side. Not concerned because I've had a couple before -- the last was five years ago. Fell asleep watching TV. Woke up in the middle of the night to find that the boil had split and was leaking. So I took off my top to see how much had leaked out. I handled several things and moved my top around here and there before I read (on the Internet) that the pus in a boil contains staphylococcus aureus bacteria and is contagious, and that all clothing or other items that came into contact with any of the pus should be washed in very hot (preferably boiling) water, using antibacterial soap. I don't remember how many things I touched -- I even put on my glasses -- and am very afraid of spreading staph to others. Should I be EXTREMELY CONCERNED? Also, when cleaning hands, are antibacterial wet ones good enough? Do I have to wash everything I might have possibly touched? How contagious is it? Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated, because I am so very afraid of spreading staph. Thank you.
Fri, 6 May 2016
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
As you mentioned it is potentially contagious but it is possible that since the lesion is on your abdomen and not your hands that it may not have come into contact with many other surfaces.
You do not need to be extremely concerned.
If any contacts notice any suspicious lesions then cleaning with anti septic solution and the application of a topical antibiotic may be helpful.
I hope this helps
As you mentioned it is potentially contagious but it is possible that since the lesion is on your abdomen and not your hands that it may not have come into contact with many other surfaces.
You do not need to be extremely concerned.
If any contacts notice any suspicious lesions then cleaning with anti septic solution and the application of a topical antibiotic may be helpful.
I hope this helps
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