Cellulitis
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Cellulitis is a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection. It can appear as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender and may spread rapidly to other parts of the body.
Skin on the lower legs is most commonly affected, though cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body or face. It may affect only the skin surface, or it may affect tissues under the skin and spread to lymph nodes and the bloodstream.
Possible signs and symptoms, usually on one side of the body, include:
- Red area of skin that tends to expand
- Swelling, tenderness, pain, or warmth
- Fever
- Red spots, blisters, or skin dimpling
MRSA
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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is caused by a type of staph bacteria that becomes resistant to many antibiotics used to treat ordinary staph infections.
MRSA can begin as a painful skin boil and can spread by skin-to-skin contact. Staph skin infections, including MRSA, often start as swollen, painful red bumps that might resemble pimples or spider bites.
The affected area may be warm to the touch, full of pus or other drainage, and accompanied by a fever. These can become deeper abscesses that may require medical treatment.
Osteomyelitis
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Osteomyelitis is an infection in a bone. Infections can reach a bone by traveling through the bloodstream or spreading from nearby tissue. Infections can also begin in the bone itself after an injury exposes the bone to germs.
Signs and symptoms can include fever or chills, pain in the area of the infection, and swelling, warmth, or redness over the area of the infection.
Sometimes osteomyelitis causes no signs or symptoms, or symptoms that are difficult to distinguish from other problems. Contact your doctor if you experience worsening bone pain along with fever or notice signs of infection after a surgery or injury.
Hepatitis B and C
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Viral hepatitis can progress silently, and many infected patients may not be aware of their condition. Hepatitis B and C can cause chronic liver infection and may lead to serious liver disease without medical evaluation and treatment.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
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HIV left untreated can lead to AIDS. Unlike some viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV completely, so once a person has HIV, they have it for life.
HIV attacks the body's immune system, specifically CD4 cells, which help the immune system fight infections. If left untreated, HIV reduces the number of CD4 cells in the body, making the person more likely to get infections or infection-related cancers.
No effective cure for HIV currently exists, but with proper treatment and medical care, HIV can be controlled. Antiretroviral therapy, or ART, can help many people with HIV stay healthy and lower their chance of transmitting the virus to others when taken as prescribed.
The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. Health care providers, medical clinics, substance abuse programs, community health centers, hospitals, pharmacies, and home testing kits can offer testing options.
PrEP
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Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication for HIV-negative individuals who are at high risk for contracting HIV.
PrEP does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases, so additional protective measures such as condoms may still be recommended.
To receive PrEP, the recipient must agree to follow up with the prescriber every three months for screening and refills.
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