Degenkolb was admitted to hospital after abrasions caused by his crash on Stage 7 of the Vuelta a Espana became infected. Despite that he completed the stage and went on to win two others, as well as the green jersey.
However, after he returned home to Germany one of the wounds became infected and under the guidance of the Team Giant-Shimano doctors he was admitted to hospital, where he was prescribed a course of intravenous antibiotics.
"After the race my lymph nodes swelled up to ping-pong ball size and then I could barely walk with the pain," said Degenkolb.
"It turns out one of the abrasions was deeper than we thought. A combination of the work-load at the Vuelta and the healing of the skin led to inflammation.
"I tortured myself over the final stages in order not to lose the jersey, then at night I got chills and fevers and was admitted to hospital after my flight home.
Degenkolb is regarded as one of the favourites to win at the 28 September world championships in Ponferrada, Spain on a course which may suit his talents as a sprinter who can also climb reasonably well.
Degenkolb will miss out on riding for Giant-Shimano at the world championships but remains optimistic of lining up for the road race.
"Thanks go to the public hospital in Frankfurt, and the nurses and doctors, I feel in good hands here. I will stay here under observation for a few more days but I keep my goal, the World Championships, in mind."
