Joe is a butcher. One day while filleting some meat he
cutshis hand badly.He does not seek treatment.
The wound becomes infected and he develops
a fever and is quite ill.
He attends the local hospital and is admitted. A
sample of the fluid discharging from the wound (a
swab) and blood tests are taken.
The sample is sent to the
Microbiology Laboratory.
The sample is put onto a glass slide and analysed
under a microscope to look for cells that indicate
infection. The sample is spread on a culture medium
"plate" to enable any bacteria present to grow. The
Pathologist looks at the plate and identifies the particular bacteria causing the infection.
A number of antibiotics are tested on the bacteria to ensure that the antibiotic chosen to treat the infection is the correct one.
The report is sent back to the treating doctor. The treating doctor and the pathologist will discuss Joe's progress and response to treatment. Joe will then be counseled on his progress throughout his recovery period.