Can Bed Sores Cause Cellulitis?

By Nursing Home Law Center

Cellulitis

Yes. Cellulitis is a bacterial (usually staph or strep) infection in the skin and the underlying connective tissue that usually is associated with pain, swelling and discoloration. Patients with open wounds caused by bed sores are susceptible to contracting cellulitis as the wound provides easy access for the bacteria to enter the body. When left untreated, cellulitis may cause or contribute to other medical complications such as meningitis and sepsis.

Sepsis

Sepsis is a bacterial infection in the bloodstream or body tissues, frequently found in patients with severe bed sores (similarly called: decubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers or pressure sores). Some patients with sepsis experience a complete inflammation of their body due to infection of blood. If a person does not respond to medical treatment, they may go into septic shock which can result in organ failure and extreme low blood pressure (hypotension) or decreased blood flow (hypoperfusion). The mortality rate for patients with sepsis is 20% to 40%.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an infection in the membrane and fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. There are two general types of meningitis– viral meningitis and bacterial meningitis. In order to determine what type of meningitis a person has, a physician must sample the spinal fluid and perform a culture. Determining the strain of meningitis will determine the type of treatment.

Because of the risk of severe medical complications with cellulitis, it is important for medical facilities to promptly make an accurate diagnosis of the cellulitis (usually with a blood test) and to administer antibiotics.

Related Information

Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect Resources

Client Reviews

★★★★★
Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother's death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial. Lisa
★★★★★
After I read Jonathan’s Nursing Home Blog, I decided to hire him to look into my wife’s treatment at a local nursing home. Jonathan did a great job explaining the process and the laws that apply to nursing homes. I immediately felt at ease and was glad to have him on my side. Though the lawsuit process was at times frustrating, Jonathan reassured me, particularly at my deposition. I really felt like Jonathan cared about my wife’s best interests, and I think that came across to the lawyers for the nursing home. Eric