Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

How long does it take to treat an infection?

I wasn't sure which board to post to. I had three ovarian cysts, one was 14cm. I had them removed by laparoscopy, but the surgeon ended up having to make a lower abdominal incision to get the biggest cyst out and repair my ovaries (also the cyst ruptured during removal I was told). I went home the next day, then returned to the hospital 3 days later with severe abdominal pain and fever. I was diagnosed with a pelvic abscess and severe infection. After a week in the hospital, I was sent home with a picc-line in my arm and a drainage tube for the abscess. I have been taking antibiotics vancomycin and Invanz daily through infusion.
I have been home 10 days and the drainage is now cloudy light pink as opposed to the dark pink with clumps while I was in the hospital. I see improvement, but my question that can't seem to be answered is where did the infection and abscess come from? Was it from material that leaked from the cyst or from bacteria at the incision site? And how long does it usually take for an infection like this to clear up? I can't imagine prolonged use of antibiotics is good for me either, I'm worried about being susceptible to other bacteria now.
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1415174 tn?1453243103
COMMUNITY LEADER
I meant burst cyst.
mkh9
Helpful - 0
1415174 tn?1453243103
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am not a doctor but I'm very sorry you are going through all this. In my opinion, it is hard to say exactly where the infection came from in a serious situation like this. It could have been from either the abdominal incision or the burst ovary. More likely the abdominal incision or bacteria that are normally in the area. But didn't the doctor pre-treat you with antibiotics? Sometimes this helps keep the infection down. But it sounds like it was urgent that they do the second surgery in order to remove the larger ovarian cyst. In this case they may not have had time to pre-treat. It sounds like you are recovering and this great news. The time varies from person to person. I would ask your doctor about this. It is always a risk when doing any operation that you can get an infection. I hope you recover quickly.
mkh9
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Infectious Diseases Community

Top Infectious Diseases Answerers
1415174 tn?1453243103
CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Can HIV be transmitted through this sexual activity? Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia answers this commonly-asked question.
A breakthrough study discovers how to reduce risk of HIV transmission by 95 percent.
Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia provides insight to the most commonly asked question about the transfer of HIV between partners.
Before your drop a dime at the pharmacy, find out if these popular cold and flu home remedies are a wonder or a waste
Fend off colds and the flu with these disease-fighting foods