Advises needed: Pyogenic groin abscess

[komnaes]

Just want to see if anyone has any experiences with it. What happened - a spot on my right groin began to appear last Thursday or so and within 2 days it had grown and became very painful. My HIV doctor gave me some anti-biotic yesterday and after taking the right dose in the morning it finally burst with pus. I saw him again this morning and he has taken some pus to culture and see what bacteria is the culprit. I am of course still taking the anti-biotic and he's referred me to a specialist to see if drainage is needed, but the appointment is set in 2 weeks.

My questions are -

1. Is drainage always needed for abscess? With the right anti-biotic will it just drain and go away itself?

2. Is drainage is needed and preferred, should I wait 2 weeks? I am inside the government system now so 2 weeks is already not a long wait. But since I have the option of seeing a private specialist should I just go see one and have it drained?

3. My HIV doctor said abscess is not HIV related, but one of the bacillus responsible for TB is also an important abscess-forming type. It didn't occur to me ask but any advises on what're the implications to me as a HIV patient if the TB bacteria is indeed responsible for my abscess?

Thanks, Shaun

[ARMANDO]

sounds like MRSA(STAPH INFECTION),i recently had the same thing this past summer and in the same area!!!

[komnaes]

How did you get it fixed Armando? Yes my doc did mention it could be MRAS.

[ARMANDO]

they have to do a culture to diagnoise first and then they have to find an antibiotic that is spefically used to treat this type of infection,usually within two weeks. MY DOCTOR did have to lance it to get all the pus out which wasn't all that bad.ONCE that  is done you have to make sure and keep it clean,two to three times a day.IT should take about 2 weeks to completely clear up,make sure you take all the antibiotics and keep the area properly bandaged

[LordBerners]

I used to get those for about a year and a half after I believe I seroconverted (had a bad case just after). 

I tried topical antibiotic ointments, but that didn't help and seemed to make them worse.  Then I tried topically applied hydrogen peroxide - cleared them right up, within days.  Just once a day before bed.  I used to get them frequently, now never.

Mine were small however.. like 1/8th inch, and grew only the first time I had them and neglected them.

[komnaes]

they have to do a culture to diagnoise first and then they have to find an antibiotic that is spefically used to treat this type of infection,usually within two weeks. MY DOCTOR did have to lance it to get all the pus out which wasn't all that bad.ONCE that  is done you have to make sure and keep it clean,two to three times a day.IT should take about 2 weeks to completely clear up,make sure you take all the antibiotics and keep the area properly bandaged

Thanks Armando and LB for sharing, that is exactly what I am doing now. I have to say it feels a lot smaller than tuesday when it first burst on its own without lancing. It was one horrible mess. Right now I am keeping it as tidy and clean as possible, and just be happy that it wasn't as painful as last weekend. It was HELL.


Shaun