I have a friend in the hospital who had flu like symptoms i.e. throwing up and high fever for four days, went to the hospital, was admitted, severe infection which started in the foot and has begun traveling up the leg and is now just past the knee - IV antibiotics are not working well, stood yesterday and all the blood vessels broke in his foot and lower leg.  Pain level is very high and anti-inflamatories have been discontinued because a hard mass was discovered.  7 physicians were in the room yesterday and no one seems to know what the problem is.  MRI today, however we are concerned - any ideas you can think of to suggest?
Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about what your friend is going through. From the information you have provided, your friend probably has a bacterial infection of the soft tissues. The exact germ would need that sample be cultured and antibiotics adjusted accordingly. If this infection is extensive, then he for sure requires surgery to get this infection controlled. Without surgery, the infection cannot be well controlled because antibiotics cannot penetrate death tissue. Both antibiotics and surgery need to be used. Can you please, provide me with a picture image of this leg? I hop these helps and ad Chat Doctor.  I wish your friend well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.