My last labs were about a year ago. CD4 was 899 and VL was 4000. I am not on any meds. I had an abscess that was lanced and draing a week ago. Every two days I am going in to have the packing replaced and it lanced again. It seems like everytime one pocket is lanced another one or two pop up next to it. I have been taking bactrium and a z-pack. Overall everything has improved greatly the doctor is very pleased with my healing. I am a little worried because i may be healing but every other day it seems like there is another hidden pocket that fills with fluid. The doctor referred to it as a honey comb. I am in the process of finding a new hiv specialist. I have not been able to find any information about this new pocket formation and if it was normal. If you have any advice on this I would greatly appreciate it! Would an infections disease doctor be more knowledgeable in treatment of MRSA? Thanks for your time!

The problem of Community Acquired MRSA (which is methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus...a bacteria from the skin that is resistant to many of the commonly used antibiotics) is a rapidly growing one. These bacteria have the ability to invade into tissues quickly and cause abscesses (pockets of pus). It is important that antibiotics be used along with drainage of the collections, which is the most important treatment. If the infection is spreading, the use of intravenous antibiotics may be needed. Treatment is often followed by an attempt to decontaminate the skin and nasal passages with body washes (hibiclens) and nasal ointments (mupirocin) and cleaning all clothing and bedcloths, etc. Certainly consultation with an Infectious Diseases specialist should be considered if the problem is not responding well to treatment.

Good luck,

Joe