I am a 25 year old female working in the jungles of Equatorial New Guinea as part of a research team. We had a fellow researcher develop some open sores and his leg swelled up about 4 times the original size. They gave him several antibiotics but nothing is workings. The swelling move into his testicles and he is now urinating blood. He is still conscious and has a good attitude but the doctors in Malabo can’t figure out what it is and he can’t fly by plane. They just medivacked him out to a German hospital today.
I too developed an open wound but I spoke up before it got too bad, as he waited 6 days before saying anything. I have been given an antibiotic and the wound has started getting crusty and seems to be healing after a couple days, but the swelling is not going down. I have attached a couple of pictures. My question is: should I get on a plane and go back to the United States where I could get some better medical help or should I give it a few days to see if it continues to heal. The redness around it doesn’t seem to be going away yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
For me ..yours could be Cutaneous Leishmaniasis – caused by the parasitic protozoa leishmania; transmitted via the bite of sandflies..
Yours may heal but takes long time and needs follow up with infectiology specialist.
In my opinion your friend should seek urgent medical attention in US if his case did not become better with medical care in guinea.
In my opinion you have a viral infection , complicated in your friend by lymphangitis
If you start treatment early it is managable
IV ceftriaxone or penicillin should be very effective
Good Luck
hi
if there is a facility of getting iv antibiotics around you,then you can start the treatment there itself.
But you feel that medical care isn’t good enough near you,its better to fly back to US and get it treated before it gets too complicated.
thanks
HI
IT DOES SEEM TO BE HEALING UP.
THE PERIPHERAL PART IS ALMOST HEALED.
CENTRAL PART HAS SOME INFECTION REMAINING.
DRESS IT DAILY WITH ANTISEPTIC CREAS.
APPLY MUPIROCIN CREAM TO THE CENTRAL PART DAILY.
NO NEED TO FLY TO UNITED STATES.
hello there
this seems to be a allergic reaction with secondary infection.
anti histaminic tablets and proper wound care is advisable.
the wound does not seem to be much in a healing stage and if possible you should get back to US for further management