Case Reports
Bacteremia From an Unlikely Source
An unusual infection caused by contact with a pet reinforces the importance of educating patients about proper postoperative wound care.
Imaging scans.
- Imaging procedures—such as X-rays, CT (computerized tomography), and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)—can help pinpoint diagnoses and rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
Biopsies
- During a biopsy, a tiny sample of tissue is taken from an internal organ for testing.
How is it treated?
Knowing what type of germ is causing your illness makes it easier for your doctor to choose appropriate treatment.
- Antibiotics are reserved for bacterial infections, because these types of drugs have no effect on illnesses caused by viruses.
- Antiviral drugs have been developed to treat some, but not all, viruses, including AIDS, herpes, hepatitis B and C, and influenza (flu).
- Antifungals are drugs that treat severe fungal infections, which can affect the lungs or the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
- Antiparasitics are used to treat diseases, such as malaria, caused by tiny parasites.
In addition to visiting your doctor and taking any prescribed medications, it is important to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest.
The best way to prevent the spread of germs is to practice good hand hygiene. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing.
