If you have had infectious endocarditis, how do you know when you are completely healed?
537015
The best method is echocardiography. Also, one can try MRI and CT scans. Also, improvement in general outlook (exercise tolerance), disappearance (not changing nature) of heart murmurs, which are heard through the stethoscope, is an important indicator. Negative blood culture (disappearance of bacteria from blood) may not be the most reliable indicator if one is on antibiotics. Take care.
1168711
It is hard to diagnose this, with this little bit of information. It appears that it is a blister. It may have been caused by a burn that you were unaware of, insect bite, allergic reaction to something you contacted or a wide variety of other possibilities. The fact that it is a water filled blister, tells me that the immune response is intact. This is the bodys way of forming, if you will, a protective padded bandaide. This fluid filled sack prevents harmful invaders, like dirt and germs to enter the damaged tissue. It also works to heal. The fluid is filled with many healing substances, that come to the rescue of the damaged tissue. The danger is when the blister is broken. One should never deliberately break a blister. However, if the blister breaks, one should keep the area clean and protected. Neosporin is a good antibiotic ointment to would very similar to the bodys response. It will prevent infection and promote healing. Cover the area with a sterile bandage. You never want to put a dry bandage on a seeping wound, because the fluid will dry on the badage and then pull the healed tissue off when you remove the bandage. If you have done this, soak the wound & bandage in clean & warm water for 20 minutes, then slowly remove the bandage, it should come off without pain or damage. Look for signs and or symptoms of infeaction. Reddness, swelling, pain, green drainage, increased warmth to area or unexplained fever. If the wound gets worse each day, or it not showing signs of healing with a week or 10 days. If there is any loss of functioning, like numbness, etc ...seek medical assistance at once.
550863
I am a dentist.\n\nIt depends.  The answer is likely, "no, don't be worried".\n\nSome idiot above me said you need antibiotics, but is probably oblivious of the fact that infections typically don't develop until 4 to 5 days after the surgery.\n\nThe lump could be a lot of things.  It could be simply swelling.  It could be a small hematoma.  It could be granulation tissue building up.  It's hard to say.  See your dentist to have it evaluated.
900501
I would recommend seeing a DR. They will be able to do some x-rays and tell you exactly what you have damaged. After 6 months, I don't think much could be done. Tendons heal differently to bones, they will never be as strong as they used to be. Get a DR's opinion before you start trying to claim on your insurance.
954643
Its most likely a hematoma\nits part of the healing process UNLESS you are experiencing increased abdominal pain, vomiting, fever
252980
If you have a bacterial chest infection, you should start to feel better 24 to 48 hours after starting on antibiotics. You may have a cough for days or weeks.  http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Chest_infections?OpenDocument\n\nAntibiotics are medications that help our bodies fight bacterial infections. Antibiotics kill only bacteria. They have no effect on viruses that are the cause of common infections like colds, flu, most sinusitis, and most chest colds (bronchitis).\nAntibiotics won't help you feel better or shorten the time you have a cold or the flu. Even if you have taken antibiotics in the past and they seemed "to work," studies have shown that antibiotics do not shorten the duration of illness for viral infections; you would have recovered as quickly on your own, without medication. Give your immune system the credit it deserves. Your uncomfortable cold or flu symptoms are signs that your body's defenses are working against the virus.  http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/home/healthtopics/antibiotics.shtml
441444
After one week you should have had more recovery than you have had.  There is a risk of infection with any invasive procedure but from what you say, it doesn't sound like it.  I'm sure you'll mention this when you hear from the doctor and you'll have your answer.
818471
Based on my knowledge on this issue, if blood is exposed out in the open (air), the virus inside can only survive for a few seconds. Therefore it won't be harmful.\n\nReading from your statement you mentioned it was a fresh stain. I will imply it as dry.\n\nIf you are still worried you can always go for a HIV testing. There's only one test to see whether you're HIV positive or not. Most government hospitals give free testing and the result is strictly private and confidential.\n\nDo inform the doctor of how this matter came to be. There is a 'window period' which means that you might/might not carry the HIV virus. This 'window period' means you have to go for regular testing because they can't detect the virus for a certain period of time. \n\nHope this helps.
1006078
if you have coughed for a prolonged period of time, you could have fractured a rib.  I would look at the color, thickness, and if there is any smell with a fever.  Sometimes bronchitis is viral in origin and a virus has to run it's course.  I take lots of vit-c(1500-2000) every 8 hour and mucinex with a lot of fluids.  Also chicken soup as been known to release lycopene which aids the healing process.  If your symptoms have persisted for a couple of days your doctor may be able to give you something for the cough.  Hope you feel better!
961025
Well I had mono and I could not return to normal activity for about 5 weeks,  but I had a severe case I was hospitolized and everything but I think a normal case lasts for about 3-4 weeks!  The advice I can give you is rest, drink lots of fluids, and if you didnt go see a doctor yet you need to go see a doctor so you can go on antibiotics and get yourself better!  I hope you feel better soon!!  Lots of Luck!
54920
If the virus is dormant, it will still be detected by the test.  It's a bit confusing, but when people talk about the virus being dormant they basically mean it's chilling out in the patient's body but not making him/her sick (in which case the patient is HIV-positive but does not have AIDS).  The virus is not immediately detectable (I believe whoever it was that said 3-6 months after exposure is right), but a patient can have HIV that will be detectable by an HIV test for several years without showing any symptoms.  The risk of a false negative on an HIV test is fairly low (I don't remember the exact number), but if you've had an HIV test that came back negative and are still worried about it you can always get tested again in a couple months.
1098239
Supposedly you're infectious for up to 18 months after (but I think it's a bunch of bull...it's typically not that long).\n\nYes, you can donate blood.  I've had mono, and donate blood & platelets all the time.
372695
Depending on your immune system and body chemistry, WITHOUT medication: between 1-3 weeks. The first oubreak is the worst, and the following ones can be pretty awful as well--- but don't worry, the longer you have the virus the less severe your outbreaks will be!\n\nTaking medication is VERY effective at healing outbreaks and also at preventing transmission. As a woman, you can be having an outbreak and not even know it -- it can be on your uterus or inner walls of the vagina. \n\nI knew a girl who caught it when she was 15, and I met her when she was 21. She'd never been on medications. She said for the first year or two, it had been hell- one outbreak after another. 6 years later, at 21, she was just experiencing a bump or two (sporadically, but especially when she was stressed out) which would clear up in about 7 days. \n\nSymptoms can also include lower back pain and muscle aches (caused by lactose as the body tries break the virus down). If you don't have medication, anaerobic exercise like gentle walking can help alot. The longer you live with the virus, the more you'll know your body.\n\nStress can also make the outbreaks last longer, it seems (from talking to various people)-- or it makes them worse because you are already stressed out!
671739
my friend had heart surgery and that happened to her due to an infection 2wks after her surgery.  Or it could be a brisk movement has torn stiches, either way have it checked out asap.
934286
Are the "bumps" fluid filled (blisters) or solid? How long does it take for them to go away? What other things are you experiencing (does your groin hurt? do you have a vaginal discharge? If so, what color/consistency?) I agree with the other members advice that you need to go see your OBGYN and refrain from sexual contact until a diagnosis has been determined. If you have contracted herpes, although it is not cureable, it is certainly not the end of your sex life, you just have to be careful when you do have sex (use condoms, no sex when you are experiencing an outbreak) and good communication between you and your partner. One-third of the American population has some type of herpes infection (either genital or oral) although many do not experience any symptoms, only an ELISA (a type of diagnosic test) can determine if you have been infected if you have no symptoms. Because this test is extremely expensive most folks have no idea if they are infected. When you are having symptoms it is important to go see your doctor or nurse practitioner to prevent infection to others. \nEducate yourself about herpes and rest assure that you can have a natural childbirth, it is not a fatal disease, and be thankful that it is not HIV.
371503
The bacteria are likely still present on your skin.  All of us have staph species on our skin.  The problem in an abscess is that too many bacteria got through your protective barrier and were multiplying too fast for the body to control it.  Clindamycin does not KILL these bacteria, it is called a BACTERIOSTATIC antibiotic, which means that it slows or halts the multiplication of the microbes.  This allows the immune system to catch up and kill off the bacteria causing all the trouble.\n\nThe other major curative is incision and drainage of the abscess.  Without I+D, most abscesses will not get better.  There is a very long explanation for why this is, but the bottom line is that the drainage brings the bacterial count down and the presence of oxygen slows (and sometimes kills) the bacteria.\n\nIf you are wondering if you are infectious, it is not likely.  All people have staph species on their skin and have a potential to get it if they have cuts, etc.  The most common sufferers of repeat infections from skin bacteria are those who inject often (like diabetics or IV drug users).  Good sterile technique will avoid this problem.
770565
Drink lots of water and give it time. You should begin feeling better and better as time goes by. Within two weeks of stopping the treatment I was zinging with energy. They say it takes 6 months to  clear the drugs from your body, but I felt like it took longer. In the long run it was worth it as I cleared the virus 6 years ago.