Signs of Staff Infections

Many people carry staph bacteria and never develop infections. Staph bacteria can be transmitted from person to person or from objects.

Skin Symptoms

• Skin infections are the most common type of staph infection. They can cause an abscess or boil which may be red, swollen, painful and oozing with pus.

Staph Food Poisoning

• Staphylococcal food poisoning causes vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. Symptoms usually develop within six hours of eating the tainted food and last one to three days. This type of staph illness is not contagious amongst people.

Blood Poisoning

• Bacteremia occurs when staph bacteria enter the bloodstream. A persistent fever is the primary symptom. Once in the bloodstream, staph can invade the urinary tract, lungs or heart. Staph infection also can cause endocarditis, a life-threatening inflammation of the heart valve lining.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

• Toxic shock syndrome is a life-threatening condition associated with tampon use and, less commonly, with staph infections from skin wounds and surgery. It develops suddenly with fever, nausea, vomiting, sunburn-like rash on palms and soles, confusion, muscle aches, seizures and headache.

Septic Arthritis

• In septic arthritis, staph bacteria travels from an infected area to a joint, causing severe pain. The most commonly affected joint is the knee.