I just got the second series of my pneumonia shot and second series of the new shingles shot, both in the same arm. By that same evening, my arm was swollen, I got the chills so bad I couldn’t get warm. I frantically searched for our heating pad to get warm. I couldn’t stand up straight because my lower back hurt so badly. I had a spinal fusion in that area in 1974. My condition worsened but I was too uncomfortable to go to the ER. After taking three 400 mg ibuprofen, then later three extra strength Tylenol, I was finally able to make the trip to the ER. Shots administered 11:30 am then trip to ER at 1:00 am Thursday morning. I was diagnosed with cellulitis. I was given an IV with pain med and antibiotic. Pain med did nothing so I was given an opiate. I was given a script for an antibiotic. I still am not sure how I got it. ER Doc said it was not from a bad batch of meds, but from some other external source of contamination, maybe the needle of one or the other. I am really confused. And, of course, concerned. I don’t want to get paranoid, but this condition sounds more serious than presented to me. I was told, however, if the swelling did not subside, I may have to hospitalized. The instructions sent home with me, makes it appear like something that can spread or maybe contagious. Is this a viable concern. Could my 9-yr. old granddaughter contract it by me giving her a hug? Please advise and educate me.
What is Cellulitis? : I just got the second... - CLL Support
What is Cellulitis?
I’ve had it twice in my foot and one in my ear, side of my face. As far as I know it isn’t contagious. Twice I was hospitalised from it but the last time, we watched to make sure it didn’t spread when I took the anti bs and I managed to get it under control at home. I hope you get much better soon. N
Thank you. I am so relieved. Why were you hospitalized? Did it get worse? What symptoms should I be concerned enough to go back to the ER?
Your doc should really qualify you so you feel comfortable about what you need to do. The first two times, I was on anti biotics but after staying the same for a while it rapidly started spreading. That’s when I needed to go in and have IV anti biotics for a few days. I would imagine they’ve drawn round the inflammation and advised you to call if it spreads over the outline? How is it now? Is it calming down? I’m sorry you’re having such a rough time.
It seems to have calmed down, but I got my shots almost parallel to my left shoulder. The swelling spread to my shoulder towards my décolletage (crepey skin) area :). I’ve experiencing tightening in my breast bone. Can the infection spread with no visible signs of swelling? I am sorry for all these questions, but it appeared, from reading historical posts, that I may not be taking this condition as seriously as I should. I will be 70 in March.
I am not sure if it can spread invisibly but I think you should let them know you what you're experiencing. My advice is to get checked out and get very clear guidance on when you should be concerned and call back. I think it's important you feel qualified to know what to look for, I know I need that or I get anxious. x
Cellulitis is staff infection that affects the skin. A topical antibiotic is typically used with oral antibiotic like Doxycycline or both to clear it up. You can spread it to others it is very contagious. You should keep it covered.
Cellutis can be very serious in immune compromised folk like us. You need to be on the lookout for it becoming worse and particularly for signs it is going systemic. If you begin to feel unwell, develop a high temperature, high pulse or respiration or feel confused, go directly to an ER where you have the best likelihood of being attended to promptly and tell them you have CLL and are immune compromised. In particular, look for changes in your skin as seen in this post:
healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...
It is possible that your cellulitis arose from contamination of your injection site, possibly due to inadequate cleaning. The bacteria may have been on your skin beforehand. It's when it gets into your skin through scratches, cuts or puncture wounds that it causes cellulitis.
Neil
Thank you. It is not as frightening knowing what to look for. I appreciate your taking the time to educate me.
AussieNeil is correct, cellulitis is serious.
The bacteria was likely put into your skin by the flu jab. It is something the giver of that flu jab needs to know, so as to enable them to modify technique.
The bacteria may have been on your skin, in the flu vaccine (rare!) or transferred by the giver of the injection during the vaccination.
Hugs are safe! Ganny hugs are essential.
Hope you are feeling better
Jig
I knowing the possibilities as to how I may have infected, helps a lot. A cautionary lesson, for sure. Thank you.
Not sure if you’ll remember this but did they clean the skin with a swab before jabbing you? Very occasionally I’ve had medical staff say that is unnecessary (!) but I definitely wouldn’t let someone jab me without it. A few bacteria is all it takes if we are immune compromised.
As for if cellulitis is contagious this link from the NHS says it’s not. The NHS website is generally very good.
The usual rule applies if you are not at least beginning to be feeling better quickly after starting antibiotics you MUST go straight back and ask for them to review and maybe change the antibiotics. Perhaps an admission for IV antibiotics may be needed. Make sure that A and E staff are told “I have a blood cancer and am immune compromised” those are important words for them to grasp as we need to be treated more aggressively than a typical patient.
NHS Info
I had a flu jab yesterday and was told by the nurse that they don’t use bacterial wipes before giving the injection. She was so quick I didn’t get the chance to object!
Newdawn
YIKES!!!!
Amazingly it doesn’t seem to be standard practice here to sterilise the area first for inoculations. She was so quick I didn’t even feel it!
Interestingly the U.K. Green Book doesn’t insist that bacterial wipes are used before immunisation;
‘It is not necessary to disinfect the skin. Studies have shown that cleaning the skin with isopropyl alcohol reduces the bacterial count, but there is evidence that disinfecting makes no difference to the incidence of bacterial complications of injections (Del Mar et al., 2001; Sutton et al., 1999).’
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Newdawn
Oops! How are you? ok??
I had a fever of 38.4 after my flu vacc this year. No local inflammation tho'. Settled in 6 hrs. Odd. No rational explanation.
Sometimes "a local reaction " can mimic cellulitis. The absence of fever would not be reassuring.
Best treat as infection.
Jig
I haven’t suffered a reaction Jig but do watch for reactions after vaccinations. Unfortunately my husband has the cold from hell and I’ve done well to dodge it so far particularly as my IVIG is due. Keeping my 🤞
I once suffered cellulitis in my hand from appallingly bad cannula care in hospital. I have the photographs of my hands which ended up looking like huge red boxing gloves. Nurses with poor hygiene standards were the cause!
Newdawn
Scary! I hope they have improved their standards now. I assume it was reported?
It was early on my CLL journey and I ended up in a pretty unsuitable place in the hospital due to bed shortages. They had no haematology unit.
I raised hell over it of course and had a meeting with the Matron in overall charge to discuss the issues. As she left I said;
‘Be sure to get me the individual names for the medical negligence lawyer’.
She laughed nervously but I swear the colour drained out of her face! 😉
It’s why I got away from that hospital as soon as I could.
Newdawn
Hello, Awoodiette. Sharing my own layperson's techniques for minimizing infection risk from all the needle pokes. I use these preventative tips prior to: having blood drawn; receiving shots; and receiving IV contrast for CT scans.
1. The day prior to and day of procedure, I wash the area and surrounding areas thoroughly with "Hibiclens Antiseptic Skin Cleanser." This is a pink liquid available here OTC at drugstores. I believe it is the same solution as the surgical scrub used by hospitals. (Chlorhexidine Gluconate Solution 4.0% w/v) Persons having a scheduled surgery are often advised to wash with this product for 3-5 days before surgery.
2. I carry antibacterial wipes for the arm rest when having a blood draw, and cheerfully announce to the tech that I am a Germaphobe with a License!
3. I use my own alcohol wipes over the skin while waiting for the techs to do their paperwork, and make mention of my leukemia diagnosis and immunocompromised status. They always follow up my example by being extra thorough when they next clean the area with their own wipes.
My expressions of gratitude leave them knowing they've done a good deed. When I reflect on how much trouble I might seems to others, I remind myself how much more trouble would ensue for many, many persons were I to end up in the hospital with a potentially preventable infection.
Best wishes to you from Mary
I never have thought about infection risk from a shot or a blood draw. I learn something everyday here. I wish I didn’t have to worry about these things ☹️ Thank you.
As others have said here, our protective barrier of skin naturally has bacteria all over, and invasive needles can transfer the bacteria.
Hope you can feel empowered rather than frightened by this knowledge!
Forewarned is Forearmed 
Thank you. Certainly something to think about and take seriously especially now.
My Mother used to get Cellulitis a lot, (and she lived with for a number of years with it) by just bumping into a chair for example and getting a bruise and scratch. She managed cleaning wounds, dressing them and GP surgery if necessary for antibiotics. As she had been a Physiotherapist she understood the protocol. It’s not contagious.
Good luck.
I had cellulitis and didn’t realize how serious it can be. I ended up in the hospital with sepsis from it.
I've had it a few times. The nurse at my surgery didn't use an antiseptic wipe before giving me a flu jab.....
Always use an antiseptic wash spray, even if it's only a tiny scratch, and put a plaster over it.....
Update 2 Dec'.
I have just been informed by my doctor, that they no longer clean the area or use sterilising wipes before flu jabs...etc... at my surgery ....... They also, no longer put a plaster over it afterwards (NHS policy? ) .... Take your own wipes and plasters...
After my 2nd shot of Shringrix my upper arm was red, very hot and considerably swollen and it lasted about a week. I used to put ice packs on to attempt to cool it and took paracetamol. It did reduce and disappear.
I’m not sure if what you describe is the same. I don’t know whether it was a strong reaction to the Shringrix (that would be good!) or was it Cellulitis (that would be bad!). Anyway I survived it and I’m still glad I had the Shringrix.
Hope you feel better soon
Trust me-the injection site should always be sterilized and then allowed to dry before giving the injection. I would also recommend never to have two immunizations in the same arm.
It is no joke. I had it for 6 weeks once. Started with an infected spider bite. I had it in my ankle and foot, then it spread up my leg into my thigh. I couldn't walk it was so painful. It looked like it went away after three weeks with regular antibiotics, but the next day it reemerged even worse. After four days in hospital with iv antibiotics and then more at home it finally went away. It will most likely blister as your body kills it. That is when it can be harmful to others. Just keep it covered.
I always wash any area that that I may have a blood draw or injection with hexadine cleanser- aka chlorhexidine gluconate, OTC from pharmacy. Day of colon resection surgery I was advised to use just before so now I use it for anything invasive since I am immune compromised. Your doctor could advise you about using it as an extra precaution since you seem prone to cellulitis.
My husband had cellulitis in both legs and required the strongest antibiotics which cleared it up. The basic antibiotics didn't work. I did not catch cellulitis from him, but when he had it I did not have CLL then.
I had it in my left ankle 3 years ago. Thought little of it but luckily had routine exam that week. Sent to an infectious disease specialist who put in a port for 11 days of rocephin IV. Went away. I have since then worn white sox, but that may be silly.
I get cellulitis from time to time, it isn't contagious. It is an infection of the subcutaneous tissue. Healthcare professionals will tell you it comes from a break in the skin or perhaps bruising but I can tell you it comes out of nowhere. If caught early it needn't be a prob, ask for suitable antibiotics to keep by you so that you can self-diagnose next time.
Hi awoodiette.. so sorry about your cellulitis diagnosis. Hope you are doing well on treatment. I have to say I’m surprised you were given both pneumovax and shingrex in the same arm at the same time to begin with! Just FYI for others who will be receiving shingrex in the future, it’s important to be aware that if one does experience any side effects, the most common are very similar to some that awoodiette experienced. Namely, pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, muscle pain, headache, tiredness, shivering, fever and upset stomach.
Cellulitis is very serious. I’ve had it three times and only one time did I know how I got it I got it in the hospital from an IV site after my cardiac ablation. I’ll times it comes on very suddenly. I was just given oral antibiotics to take for two weeks. The first time I didn’t have CL it was about 20 years ago when I was only about 30 something and my big toe just Started hurting one night all of a sudden by the next day when I went to the doctor he already noticed I had a red streak going up my leg which she said was not good because it was getting in my bloodstream. Another time they couldn’t figure out how I got it at the back of my arm just started hurting and got a big round red rash and they assume that I got bit by something. Two years ago when I got it from the cardiac ablation I was seeing the CLL doctor a lot so he put me on two oral antibiotics because he said one wasn’t enough. I’ve had it enough now what it is when it pops up. So I go in to get antibiotics right away I would definitely follow up with that to make sure the infection is cleared.
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