Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke
Possibly Kim was being given IV ANTIBIOTICS ??
Phred is right.

Sorry about my previous post. I knew they weren't treating me for rabies. They were treating me for Cellulitis (says so on my sheet).

Even on my discharge sheet it said: 'Course of IV Antibiotics completed.' Silly me.

Here's a definition of Cellulitis that I found at a Kids Health Site.

What Is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis (say: sell-yoo-ly-tess) is a bacterial infection of the deep layers of the skin. Because it is easier for the bacteria that cause cellulitis to invade the body through an opening, cellulitis often starts in a spot where the skin has been broken from a cut or a scratch. From there, the infection spreads and usually involves the tissue just below the skin's surface. When someone gets cellulitis, the skin and the layers underneath it become red, swollen, and tender.

What Causes It?
Different types of bacteria can cause cellulitis. The most common are group A streptococcus (say: strep-toh-kah-kus) and staphylococcus (say: staf-uh-loh-kah-kus).

You come into contact with bacteria every day. Some types of bacteria even live on our bodies, but our protective skin keeps them outside the body where they cause little harm. But if there is a break in the skin, bacteria can get inside the body and start an infection.

Although cuts and scrapes are the most common causes of breaks in the skin that can lead to cellulitis, you can also get cellulitis after a dog, cat, or other animal bite. During the summertime, insect bites often cause cellulities in kids. Sometimes chicken pox can become infected with bacteria and lead to cellulitis, too.

Incubation
The incubation period varies, depending on the type of bacteria causing the cellulitis. For example, cellulitis caused by Pasteurella multocida has a very short incubation period - less than 24 hours after an animal bite. But other types of bacteria may have incubation periods of several days.

Duration
Cellulitis usually resolves after a few days of antibiotic therapy. However, it's very important that the child receives the medication on schedule for as many days, usually 7 to 10, as the doctor directs.

Professional Treatment
If your child has severe cellulitis, your child's doctor may decide to treat him or her in the hospital using intravenous (IV) antibiotics.