Cellulitis: Assessment of Severity of Illness and Management
| Class | Features | Management |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No significant systemic illness No uncontrolled comorbidities | Oral antibiotic therapy (Table 95.4) Outpatient management |
| 2 | Significant systemic illness or comorbidity (e.g. peripheral arterial disease, morbid obesity) | IV antibiotic therapy (Table 95.4) Outpatient/inpatient management* |
| 3 | Haemodynamic instability or delirium Limb-threatening infection due to vascular compromise Comorbidities that may interfere with response to therapy | IV antibiotic therapy (Table 95.4) Inpatient management: level 1/HDU |
| 4 | Sepsis syndrome Suspected necrotizing fasciitis | IV antibiotic therapy (Table 95.4) Inpatient management: HDU/ICU |
Reference: Eron LJ (2000) Infections of skin and soft tissue: outcomes of a classification scheme. Clinical Infectious Diseases 31, 287 (A432).
* Contraindications to outpatient management of patients with class 2 cellulitis: