Two weeks ago this Thursday, I woke up at 3 am with intense pain in my left elbow . I couldn t hardly move it. It hurt so bad, I almost drove myself to the ER. I had a red, hot, golf ball sized lump on my elbow. I was confused. About 4-5 days prior I had hit my elbow on the corner of my counter and got a tiny cut, but I was sure I hadnt broke anything, now this. So, I call and go to my PCP. He says I have a staph infection. He begins treating me for both MRSA and staph with bactrim and keflex. He also did an X-ray , just to be sure (of which was normal). Note: he did not attempt a culture. On the following Monday night, I spiked a fever. It was only 100, but since I had this staph infection , I was concerned. So I called the on-call. They said to go to be ER. At the ER, the doctor said I did not have a staph infection, but rather had bursitis with secondary cellulitis . This was a week ago today. I have continued the bactrim and the keflex but have these questions...I ve been on both abx, Advil , and ice round the clock but I still have a bright red elbow That is hot to the touch, painful, and itches. I can t put my elbow on the table and put Any weight on it. I know I need to see an Ortho, I ve just been putting it off. Can you tell me how long it can take for those symptoms to go away? And, will/can they go away on their own? Lastly, is cellulitis contagious? Thanks a ton! -tiff