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What Causes Cellulitis, Sinusitis And Joint Pain?
Question: I have a friend who has had cellulitis twice this summer - the first time was after a shingles vaccine. She also has joint pain that moves to different joints in her body. The latest is an ear infection with total hearing loss in her right ear and her sinuses are so full she must breath through her mouth - when she talks she sounds like she has a bad cold. She had no energy and can only sleep about 4 hours a night.
Brief Answer:
? infection ? Vasculitis
Detailed Answer:
Good evening mam. Well from what you have described, looks like she has been undergoing different infections at different times affecting almost every part of her body causing sinusitis. cellulitis and otitis media( ear infection) along with migratory joint pains. You have mentioned she is not responding to oral steroids either
From what you have described so far, it fits into 2 conditions:
1. Atypical Mycobacteria infections--> Which are very rare but can produce all these symptoms together. They dont respond to the usual antibiotics but to the atypical groups like azithromycin or clairithyomycin. But yes there is a dilema here as the steroids are only gonna make it worse.
2. The other differential i would like to rule out is a form of vasculitis( like Wegeners Granulomatosis). It can produce these symptoms of ear blockade, sinus congestion, joint pains and lower limb rashes. The steroids normally help in this case but you need a higher dose intravenous than oral.
1. If you could mail me her blood reports or upload it here, that would be helpful. I am not sure if you have got her ESR, CRP levels done.
2. Also could you attach the MRI report when it is available
3. How much dose of steroid is she taking?
Do let me know these queries, i would be happy to help you sort out the problem.
? infection ? Vasculitis
Detailed Answer:
Good evening mam. Well from what you have described, looks like she has been undergoing different infections at different times affecting almost every part of her body causing sinusitis. cellulitis and otitis media( ear infection) along with migratory joint pains. You have mentioned she is not responding to oral steroids either
From what you have described so far, it fits into 2 conditions:
1. Atypical Mycobacteria infections--> Which are very rare but can produce all these symptoms together. They dont respond to the usual antibiotics but to the atypical groups like azithromycin or clairithyomycin. But yes there is a dilema here as the steroids are only gonna make it worse.
2. The other differential i would like to rule out is a form of vasculitis( like Wegeners Granulomatosis). It can produce these symptoms of ear blockade, sinus congestion, joint pains and lower limb rashes. The steroids normally help in this case but you need a higher dose intravenous than oral.
1. If you could mail me her blood reports or upload it here, that would be helpful. I am not sure if you have got her ESR, CRP levels done.
2. Also could you attach the MRI report when it is available
3. How much dose of steroid is she taking?
Do let me know these queries, i would be happy to help you sort out the problem.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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