Erysipelas in Adults — When Alternative Antibiotics Have Not Improved Symptoms
This protocol covers the next step for adults aged 18 years and over with erysipelas, no penicillin allergy, and infection not near the eyes or nose, where a prior course of alternative antibiotics for severe infection did not produce adequate improvement within the expected timeframe.
Clinical scenario
Adults aged 18 years and over • No penicillin allergy • Infection not near the eyes or nose
Previous treatment — failure condition
Prior therapy (alternative antibiotics for severe infection):
Co-amoxiclav, Cefuroxime, Clindamycin, or Ceftriaxone.
Failure trigger:
Symptoms did not begin to improve within 2 to 3 days of treatment.
Next step — treatment overview
When meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is suspected or confirmed, additional antibiotic therapy is indicated — used in combination with existing treatment, and selected in accordance with microbiological results and specialist guidance. The full protocol details which agents and conditions apply.
References
Condition: table 1 for adults aged 18 years and over.
Treatment: Antibiotics to be added if meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection is suspected or confirmed (combination therapy with an antibiotic listed above; other antibiotics may be appropriate based on microbiological results and specialist advice).
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