Staph infections

A staph infection is diagnosed by finding the bacteria in pus, tissue samples, or body fluids, including blood and urine.

For skin damage, your healthcare professional will look at any skin sores or areas of concern. Other symptoms, such as fever, can help determine treatment.

Imaging tests, such as an MRI scan or a CT scan, may be used to identify complications from a staph infection. An imaging test for your heart, called an echocardiogram, also may be suggested.

Treatment for staph infections includes clearing out the cause and killing staph bacteria with medicine called antibiotics. For serious staph infections, care is given to manage symptoms and support the body.

Medical devices and skin infections

If your infection involves a medical device, such as a urinary catheter, cardiac pacemaker or artificial joint, it may need to be removed. For some devices, removal might require surgery.

For a staph infection on the skin, you may be told to wash the area and use medicine on the area of concern.

To drain deep pockets of pus, you can place a clean, warm cloth over the area. Or a healthcare professional may need to drain the fluid.

Your healthcare team also may recommend that the infected tissue be removed.

Antibiotics to treat staph infection

Your healthcare professional may choose an antibiotic based on where your infection is located on or in the body.

The strain of staph bacteria causing your infection may be identified. This helps narrow down which antibiotics will work best for you.

Staph bacteria are very adaptable. Many varieties have become resistant to one or more antibiotics. Because of this, more than one antibiotic may be needed to clear out an infection. And with serious staph infections, you may need to take more than one antibiotic at the same time.

Antibiotics may be taken by mouth, such as cephalexin or doxycycline. But others are given through a vein, called intravenously. Examples of intravenous antibiotics are cefazolin, nafcillin and vancomycin.

If you're given an oral antibiotic, be sure to take it as directed. Finish all the medicine you are prescribed. Ask your health professional what symptoms you should watch for that might mean your infection is getting worse.

No antibiotics for food poisoning cause by staph bacteria

Treatment for food poisoning caused by staph bacteria does not include antibiotics. Most people get over this illness within a day.

But vomiting, diarrhea or nausea can keep some people from getting enough fluid. If you lose too much fluid from the body, you may need to have fluids replaced using a needle in a vein, called intravenous fluid replacement.

Managing staph infection symptoms

For very serious staph infections, such as toxic shock syndrome, other actions may be taken to support the body. This could include breathing support, fluids given through a vein, or antibodies that help the immune system clear out an infection.

For a skin infection, you may see a general healthcare professional. You also may see a healthcare professional who focuses on skin diseases, called a dermatologist. Other members of your healthcare team may include someone who focuses on infectious diseases, or a specialist for the heart, called a cardiologist.

What you can do

Before your appointment, you may want to make a list that includes:

• Detailed descriptions of the symptoms.
• Key medical information, including other health conditions.
• All medications, herbs, vitamins and other supplements you take.
• Questions you want to ask your healthcare professional.

For a staph infection, some basic questions to ask include:

• What might be causing my symptoms?
• Do I need tests to confirm the infection?
• What's the best treatment for a staph infection?
• Can I spread the infection to others?
• How can I tell if my infection is getting better or worse?
• What activities should I avoid for now?
• I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
• Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take? What websites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional will likely ask you a number of questions, such as:

• When did you first notice your symptoms? Can you describe them to me?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• Have you been around anyone with a staph infection?
• Do you have any implanted medical devices, such as an artificial joint or a cardiac pacemaker?
• Do you have any ongoing medical conditions, including a weakened immune system?
• Have you recently been in the hospital?
• Do you play contact sports?

What you can do in the meantime

If you think you have a staph infection on your skin, take extra steps not to spread the bacteria. Wash your hands often. Keep the area clean and covered and don't pop or touch the sore. Don't share anything that touches your skin and could then touch the skin of others.