Table 3.
Abscess | Sore or open wound | Redness, swelling and tenderness | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
n | (%) | n | (%) | n | (%) | |
Where was advice sought from for the symptom during the preceding year? | ||||||
Accident and emergency | 17 | (45) | 55 | (49) | 59 | (38) |
General Practitioner or family doctor | 16 | (42) | 53 | (47) | 86 | (54) |
Needle exchange | 3 | (8·0) | 8 | (7·3) | 10 | (6·4) |
Other drug service | 2 | (5·7) | 5 | (4·2) | 9 | (5·4) |
Pharmacy | 1 | (2·9) | 2 | (2·1) | 4 | (2·8) |
Hostel or homeless service | 1 | (3·4) | 2 | (2·2) | 4 | (2·4) |
Other | 2 | (4·7) | 3 | (2·3) | 4 | (2·8) |
Total | 39 | 112 | 158 | |||
How long after the last occasion the symptom appeared was advice sought? | ||||||
Same or next day | 9 | (23) | 21 | (19) | 38 | (24) |
2–4 days later | 13 | (33) | 41 | (36) | 64 | (41) |
⩾5 days later | 17 | (44) | 50 | (45) | 55 | (35) |
Total | 39 | 112 | 156 | |||
Were participants given antibiotics on the last occasion they had symptoms? | ||||||
Yes | 36 | (93) | 102 | (91) | 129 | (81) |
Total | 39 | 112 | 158 |