Signs & Symptoms of a Staph Infection

Staph infections are caused by Staphylococcus bacteria. For most healthy people, a staph infection is treatable by visiting a doctor. However, there are cases in which a more serious reaction can occur. One example is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. MRSA is a strain of staph that is resistant to a number of antibiotics and can be fatal in severe cases. The good news is that staph and MRSA are highly preventable and treatment is available.

Causes

• The bacteria responsible for staph can be found on the skin or in the nose of about one-third of the population. Just because you have staph on your skin doesn't mean you will get sick, but you are able to spread the bacteria to other people who may become infected. To be harmful, the staph bacteria normally would have to enter the body via a cut or wound. Those with a healthy immune system may see only minor symptoms. For those with a weakened immune system, staph can be serious. Staph is a very resilient bacteria. It can survive drying and extreme temperatures.

Identification

• Common symptoms of staph infection are small red bumps that look like pimples or boils. As time progresses, these little bumps can turn into painful abscesses that may require surgical draining. You may notice the skin in certain areas become red, swollen and painful. You may also develop a fever as your body tries to fight off the infection. More serious signs of a staph infection can be chest pain, cough, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and shortness of breath. The bacteria can invade the body, leading to infections in the urinary tract, heart, lungs or bloodstream. If the staph bacteria invade your bloodstream, you may develop sepsis. A sepsis infection can lead to septic shock and result in a life-threatening episode of low blood pressure.

Risk Factors

• Risk factors for staph infection particularly point to the strength of a patient's immune system. Those with weak immune systems may develop a more serious infection that leads to hospitalization. There are also risk factors associated with MRSA, the infection resistant to antibiotics that can be fatal. MRSA infections are found in health care settings and affect those who are or have been recently treated at a hospital or who have had surgery. MRSA can also be found in the community. It can affect those who play contact sports, share athletic equipment or live in unsanitary conditions. MRSA can affect children to a greater degree, as their bodies do not have fully developed immune systems and they have not built up antibodies to common germs.

Prevention

• Practicing good hygiene is the most important factor in avoiding staph infections. Wash your hands frequently and scrub your hands for at least 15 seconds. Don't share personal items or sporting equipment that hasn't been sanitized. Keep any wound you may have covered to ensure bacteria doesn't get into it that could lead to staph.

Treatment

• Treatment will depend on the severity of the staph infection. Your doctor will likely take a tissue sample or check nasal secretions for signs of the bacteria. If you have a sore that just needs draining, your doctor may be able to do that at her office. For more serious staph infections, treatment can include medicine such as antibiotics or intravenous fluids and medications as well as oxygen. In serious cases where kidney failure occurs, dialysis may be necessary.