A staph infection is caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Staph can cause boils, food poisoning, cellulitis, toxic shock syndrome, MRSA, and various other illnesses and infections. Most staph infections are transmitted from person to person.
Read more: Is a Staph Infection Contagious? ArticleMultimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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What Is a Staph Infection? Causes, Symptoms, Treatments
Do you know what a staph infection is? What about golden staph? Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of staph...
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MRSA Infection: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
MRSA and staph infections are caused by a 'super bug' resistant to antibiotics. Learn causes, symptoms, and treatment options of...
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Picture of Impetigo
Impetigo is a skin infection caused by staphylococcus aureus bacteria. It generally occurs in children and while sores can appear...
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MRSA Quiz: Infection Symptoms & Treatment
It's the MRSA Quiz! For the carriers among us, you'd be surprised that the infectious superbug is lurking on this body part! Take...
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Picture of Boil
A boil, also referred to as a skin abscess, is a localized infection deep in the skin. See a picture of a Boil and learn more...
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Germs: Everyday Items with the Most Bacteria
Explore the germiest places you may encounter daily. Bacteria is everywhere. Learn tips to avoid germs and bacteria in public...
SLIDESHOW
What Is a Staph Infection? Causes, Symptoms, Treatments See SlideshowRelated Disease Conditions
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Cellulitis
Cellulitis is an acute spreading bacterial infection below the surface of the skin characterized by redness, warmth, inflammation, and pain. The most common cause of cellulitis is the bacteria staph (Staphylococcus aureus).
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Skin Rash
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
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Boils (Skin Abscesses)
A boil is a skin abscess, a collection of pus localized deep in the skin. There are several different types of boils. Among them are the following: furuncle or carbuncle, cystic acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, and pilonidal cyst.
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Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
Low blood pressure, also referred to as hypotension, is blood pressure that is so low that it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through the arteries and veins. Some of the symptoms of low blood pressure include light-headedness, dizziness, and fainting if not enough blood is getting to the brain. Diseases and medications can also cause low blood pressure. When the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys; the organs do not function normally and may be permanently damaged.
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Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is common but can also be life-threatening. Food poisoning symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Read about different types of food poisoning, treatment, and tips for prevention.
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Staph (Staphylococcus) Infection
Staphylococcus or staph is a group of bacteria that can cause a multitude of diseases. Staph infections can cause illness directly by infection or indirectly by the toxins they produce. Symptoms and signs of a staph infection include redness, swelling, pain, and drainage of pus. Minor skin infections are treated with an antibiotic ointment, while more serious infections are treated with intravenous antibiotics.
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Cuts, Scrapes, and Puncture Wounds
Learn about first aid for cuts, scrapes (abrasions), and puncture wounds, when to see a doctor, if tetanus shots are necessary, and how to spot signs of infection.
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Impetigo
Impetigo is a contagious skin infection caused by staph and strep bacteria. There are two types of impetigo: nonbullous and bullous. Symptoms of nonbullous impetigo include small blisters on the nose, face, arms, or legs and possibly swollen glands. Bullous impetigo signs include blisters in various areas, particularly in the buttocks area. Treatment involves gentle cleansing, removing the crusts of popped blisters, and the application of prescription-strength mupirocin antibiotic ointment.
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Fever
Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 F (37 C), in practice, a person is usually not considered to have a significant fever until the temperature is above 100.4 F (38 C). Fever is part of the body's own disease-fighting arsenal; rising body temperatures apparently are capable of killing off many disease-producing organisms.
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MRSA Infection
MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria causes skin infections with the following signs and symptoms: cellulitis, abscesses, carbuncles, impetigo, styes, and boils. Normal skin tissue doesn't usually allow MRSA infection to develop. Individuals with depressed immune systems and people with cuts, abrasions, or chronic skin disease are more susceptible to MRSA infection.
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Pneumonia
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses. Symptoms and signs include cough, fever, shortness of breath, and chills. Antibiotics treat pneumonia, and the choice of the antibiotic depends upon the cause of the infection.
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What Happens If a Bartholin Abscess Bursts?
Bartholin abscess is a pocket of pus that builds up over the Bartholin glands in females. If a Bartholin abscess bursts, it may resolve on its own in a few days without treatment. However, it is advisable to visit the doctor to avoid the spread of the infection.
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Endocarditis
Endocarditis, a serious infection of one of the four heart valves is caused by growth of bacteria on one of the heart valves; leading to an infected massed called a "vegetation." The infection can be caused by having bacteria in the bloodstream after dental work, colonoscopy, or other similar procedures. Endocarditis symptoms include fever, fatigue, weakness, chills, aching muscles and joints, night sweats, edema in the legs, feet, or abdomen, malaise, shortness of breath and small skin lesions. Treatment for endocarditis is generally aggressive antibiotic treatment.
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Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an infection caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus. Toxic shock syndrome symptoms include low blood pressure, fever, and a rash with peeling skin. Treatment involves IV fluids to treat the shock, IV antibiotics, cleaning infected wounds, and hospitalization in the intensive care for other assorted treatments.
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How Serious Is a Staph Infection?
A Staphylococcus or staph infection is caused by a germ that may be found in 30% of healthy people’s noses. Most of the time, these bacteria do not cause any health problems. However, in some people, it may cause skin and other organ infections. Most often, staph causes minor skin infections such as a boil. However, if it enters into your bloodstream and other organs, it may turn out to be deadly.
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What Is the Main Cause of Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a common skin infection that can sometimes lead to fatal illness. Learn the signs of cellulitis, and what to do if you have it.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
- Amoxicillin (Amoxil) vs. Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
- Penicillin (Antibiotics)
- Amoxicillin vs. Cipro
- Doxycycline vs. Cipro
- Amoxicillin vs. Augmentin (Comparison of Side Effects and Antibiotic Uses)
- Doxycycline vs. Bactrim
- Nitrofurantoin vs. Cephalexin
- Amoxicillin vs. Ceftriaxone
- Amoxicillin vs. Ceftin
- Amoxicillin vs. Penicillin
- Keflex vs. Penicillin
- Nitrofurantoin vs. Bactrim
- clindamycin, oral (Cleocin)
- cefpodoxime proxetil (Vantin, Bantan)
- levofloxacin (Levaquin) Side Effects and Adverse Effects
- Cefdinir vs. cefixime (Suprax) 3rd Generation Antibiotics
- clindamycin
- Suprax (cefixime) vs. cefpodoxime
- Levaquin (levofloxacin) vs. Keflex (cephalexin)
- cefazolin
- gentamicin
- colistin
- Side Effects of Polytrim (polymyxin B sulfate/trimethoprim)
- linezolid
- Side Effects of Bicillin C-R (penicillin g benzathine/penicillin g procaine)
- Cubicin RF (daptomycin) Injection
- Sivextro (tedizolid phosphate)
- Altabax (retapamulin)
Prevention & Wellness
- Research Finds Contagious Staph in Lupus-Related Skin Rashes
- Dangers of 'Superbug' Germs Greater Than Believed
- Are Superbugs Making Themselves at Home in Your Makeup Bag?
- Health Tip: Recognizing a Staph Infection
- Med Students' Smartphones Loaded With Staph, Other Germs
- 'Superbugs' Hang Out on Hospital Patients
- Hospital Privacy Curtains Could Be Breeding Ground for Germs
- Microbes on International Space Station Are Familiar From Earth
- Fish Slime Could Hold Key to Beating 'Superbug' Infections
- Staph Infections Drop, but Levels Still Worry U.S. Health Officials
- Many Paramedics Ignore Hand Hygiene Rules, Study Finds
- Just How Clean Is That Stethoscope?
- Therapy Dogs Can Spread MRSA, But Antibacterials Help Prevent the Danger
- Colds Especially Bad? Your Nose Might Be to Blame
- 'Fish Pedicure' Caused One Woman's Toenails to Stop Growing
- Testing for Penicillin Allergy May Cut 'Superbug' Infection Risk
- Certain Staph Bacteria Linked to Eczema
- Hospitals Get Good News About Fighting Staph Infections
- Humans Can Pass Staph Germs to Monkeys
- Certain Steroids Raise Risk for Serious Staph Infections
- Diabetes May Raise Risk for Dangerous Staph Infection
- Newborns Vulnerable to Common Staph Infections: Study
- Pig Farmers at Greater Risk for Drug-Resistant Staph Infections: Study
- Older Antibiotic Still Works Against Staph Infections, Study Finds
- Staph Bacteria May Play Role in Eczema-Like Rash, Mouse Study Finds
- Experimental Staph Vaccine Fails to Work, Study Finds
- African Chimps Carry Drug-Resistant, Human-Linked Staph
- 'Super Bug' May Thrive in Homes Where Kids Have Staph Infections
- Some Kids' Surgery Should Include Staph Screening: Study
- Drug-Resistant Staph Threatens Cystic Fibrosis Patients
- Staph Infection Risk Rises With Brain, Chest Surgeries
- Immune System Gene Discovery Sheds Light on Staph Infections
- Drug-Resistant Staph Infections Reaching Epidemic Levels in Some Parts of U.S.
- Drug-Resistant Staph Is Here
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