SSTI
Medical abbreviation · Infectious Disease
| Stands for | Skin and soft tissue infection |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
SSTI stands for Skin and soft tissue infection, an infectious disease abbreviation.
Broad category covering infections of the skin and underlying tissues, from impetigo, cellulitis and erysipelas to abscesses, wound infections and necrotizing infections. Management depends on whether the infection is purulent, which favors incision and drainage and MRSA coverage, or nonpurulent, usually caused by streptococci.
Example: Nonpurulent SSTI of the leg, no systemic signs: cephalexin for 5 days, elevate the limb.
Usage notes
IDSA guidelines from 2014 classify SSTIs as mild, moderate or severe, separately for purulent and nonpurulent disease. Bilateral leg "cellulitis" is usually something else, such as stasis dermatitis. Marking the edge of redness with a pen helps track spread. Abscess drainage is the most important treatment for purulent infections.
Related abbreviations
More infectious disease abbreviations
- RSV – Respiratory syncytial virus
- RVP – Respiratory viral panel
- RZV – Recombinant zoster vaccine
- S. aureus – Staphylococcus aureus
- SARS – Severe acute respiratory syndrome
- SARS-CoV-2 – Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
- STD – Sexually transmitted disease
- STEC – Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
- STI – Sexually transmitted infection
- SVR – Sustained virologic response
- TB – Tuberculosis
- Td – Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids vaccine
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.