Boils are deep infections, usually of hair follicles. They may occur at any age but are most common in adolescence. They can occur at any site except the palms and soles. Friction such as that often felt in the belt or collar areas may predispose to their development. Various diseases such as uncontrolled diabetes may aggravate boils, although very few people with boils have in fact got diabetes. The most common infective organism is the Staphylococcus.
A single boil may require no treatment other than careful washing with an antiseptic soap, causing it to spontaneously discharge. When there are multiple boils, or if one is in a potentially dangerous site, active treatment is necessary. Initially, a penicillinase-resistant semi-synthetic penicillin should be administered—such as Cloxacillin. The pus should be cultured, so that the most appropriate antibiotic can then be selected for further treatment. If boils recur, further investigations are necessary. Cultures should be taken from the infected lesion and from other sites such as the nostrils, normal skin, armpits and genital area. This will identity the reservoir or source of the infective organism. Occasionally cultures taken from other members of the immediate family may be helpful. Appropriate local treatment with an antibiotic cream can then be employed to eradicate the source. Treatment may be assisted by the taking of oral antibiotics and antiseptic baths. Further investigation to exclude possible concurrent diseases such as diabetes and immunological deficiencies may occasionally also be necessary.
Viruses are lengths of nucleic acid which carry enough information for their own replication only. They are therefore completely dependent on the host cells. Unlike bacteria, they do not grow by dividing; they assemble new virus particles by the addition of protein. There are a large number of viruses which affect man and, unfortunately, there are no antibiotics effective in their treatment.
*53\44\4*
