Link: Open wounds provide pathogens outlet to body -The Clarion-Ledger- Real Mississippi.
Last week I noticed a very small cut on my lower left calf. A day later it turned red and became inflamed and painful to the point where I could barely walk. Then I noticed my inguinal (groin) lymph nodes were very swollen and that’s when I knew I had it – methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, a staph infection.
MRSA is not uncommon to people who spend time in gyms, health clubs, hospitals or schools. It is a type of infection that is largely resistant to certain antibiotics and, left untreated, will probably lead to very serious consequences.
In addition, I also got cellulitis, an infection and inflammation of the skin or, to be precise, the connective tissue just under the skin. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection which may spread from the skin to lymph nodes and the bloodstream. After 22 years of practically living in gyms and playing full-contact sports such as boxing and karate, it was only a matter of time before I caught something even more serious than a left hook to the jaw.
