Question

A 28 year old construction worker comes to the clinic with evidence of nonpurulent cellulitis on his lower leg. He has no other medical history. He does not have any known allergies. What is the best treatment option for this patient?

a. Azithromycin (Z-pack) for 5 days
b. Dicloxacillin PO, QID for 10 days
c. Bactrim DS
d. Doxycycline PO BID for 10 days

Answer 1

For a young adult with nonpurulent cellulitis and no allergies, dicloxacillin PO, taken four times a day for 10 days, is the best treatment option considering the typical susceptibility of streptococcal bacteria to penicillin and its derivatives.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best treatment option for a 28-year-old construction worker with nonpurulent cellulitis on his lower leg, who has no other medical history or known allergies, is most likely dicloxacillin PO, QID for 10 days. This is based on the information that streptococcal infections, which are common causes of cellulitis, are usually sensitive to penicillin or penicillin derivatives, and resistance is not widespread. In clinical practice, penicillin or its derivatives are frequently prescribed to effectively treat cellulitis. While drugs like azithromycin and doxycycline can be effective against certain bacterial infections, they may not be the first choice for treating cellulitis caused by streptococci. Bactrim DS, a combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, could be considered as an alternative in cases of suspected or confirmed MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) or if the patient had a penicillin allergy