Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your doctor.
Conditions
- Age older than 60
- A marine sting or scrape in the past
- Infant, young child, or very small adult
- Past serious reactions, such as:
- Allergic reaction
- Anaphylaxis
- Skin sensitivities
- Serum sickness
- Toxic reaction
- Large skin reaction
- Surgery to remove the spleen
Lifestyle choices
- Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
- Drug abuse or withdrawal
- Smoking or other tobacco use
Medicines
- Blood-thinning medicines, such as warfarin, heparin, and aspirin
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
- Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
Diseases
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Glaucoma
- Heart disease
- HIV
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Seizure disorder
- Sickle cell disease
Credits
| Author | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Last Updated | September 24, 2007 |
Author:Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Last Updated: 09/24/2007
