Today has been one of those strange days when you realize if you lived in the 1800s, you'd be dead.
I got a bug bite on Friday in the crease of my elbow. It got terribly red, itchy, and inflamed, which is nothing unusual for me (I have terrible reactions to bites). This morning, I noticed a red streak running up my arm toward my heart and knew I was in trouble.
I went to the doc and she said it was a pretty serious infection that was now in my bloodstream heading for my lymph nodes and heart. She wanted to give me an antibiotic shot immediately because this can be life threatening. Unfortunately, I'm allergic to the base antibiotic (ceclore) in the shot, so I'm on a heavy-duty oral antibiotic for three times a day for a week. The doc was pretty concerned she couldn't give me the shot because it is the recommended way to stop the progress of the infection. If this streak keeps creeping up my arm or if I get a fever, I have to get immediate medical attention. Hopefully the super antibiotic works right away and I'll be fine!
Thank goodness for modern medicine!