Welcome to the series of injection threads by one8nine and MuscleScience
In this thread I will try to help everyone know the difference between injection site pain or a possible infection. I will speak specifically on bacterial infections in this thread, please refer to the thread at the bottom of the page for injection site pain.
The classic signs and symptoms of a bacterial infection are based on four Roman words; Rubor, Calor, Turgor, and Dolor. Which means Redness around the site of infection, Heat, Swelling, and Pain. These are generic inflammatory processes that also mimic the signs and symptoms of injection site reactions.
The difference in signs is usually specific to the species of bacteria but there are a few commonalities.
One is that the symptoms are localized. Most bacteria do not have the ability to move on their own through the body until they reach the blood stream. This is known as sepsis and is very severe.
The next sign is low-grade fever; this again can be caused by the overall inflammatory process going on in the body.
Other than fever a patient may experience malaise and chills.
Pus formation is another sign that an infection may be occurring. However not all infections that form pus are due to bacteria. Some viral infections may also lead to pus formation.
Possible infectious organisms:
It is important to understand that human skin is colonized by bacteria. These bacteria usually do not cause much of a problem outside of odor or acne. However given the right set of conditions these same bacteria can cause infection and disease. This is called opportunism and can occur in situations were the host organism (people in this talk) is under physical stress or injury. If these bacteria were to colonize in a wound and grow out of control an infection can ensue. Ironically these same bacteria protect use from full time pathogenic microorganism that are not normally found as part of normal human flora.
Streptococcus pyogenes: This is a common bacterium of the skin and throat. This bacterium usually causes problems in the throat (strept throat) but it can also cause impetigo and most relevance to this discussion necrotizing fasciitis.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Again this is a normal bacterium of the skin and upper respiratory tract. This is of great clinical significance to burn victims. Common sources of infection are through cuts and open wounds. This organism is resistance to hydrogen peroxide treatment.
Staphylococcus aureus: This organism is the cause of the dreaded staph infections. One thing to understand about this organism is that not all staph infections are MRSA infections. MRSA simple refers to a strain of
S. aureus that is resistant to a certain family of antibiotics. Just because a staph infection in not a result of MRSA that does not mean that it is not serious. This organism is present in about a third of the population and under normal conditions it is not a pathogen. Clinical signs of a staph infection are as follows.
Cellulitis, furuncles, folliculitis, carbuncles, boils, impetigo and of course abscesses.
Additional links about MRSA, (With Pictures)
Redirect Notice
Diagnosis of bacterial infection:
This is merely a guide to help one understand the difference between a bacterial infection or a simple injection site reaction. If at any point one suspects that they may have a bacterial infection it is strongly recommended that a trip to the emergency room or consultation with a doctor be pursued. This in no way should be used instead of professional medical advice.
Links to the rest of the series:
Injection pain: Why it happens / How to prevent it / How to cure it
http://forums.steroid.com/showthread.php?t=358594
How to filter your gear (With Pictures)
http://forums.steroid.com/showthread.php?t=358623
Why Do I Pass Out While Injecting
http://forums.steroid.com/showthread.php?t=358622
