A staph infection is caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus. While this infection can affect any body part, it’s commonly found on the skin and inside the nose.
However, a staph infection can become problematic if the bacteria enter other body parts, like the lungs, bones, joints, blood and kidneys.
How Staph Infections Spread
Staph can spread through contact with a person who has the infection and by touching contaminated surfaces. The bacteria can enter the bloodstream through a cut or wound, but like a kidney infection, staph can also enter the body through the urethra, affecting the bladder and kidneys.
You can even get food poisoning when you eat food infected with bacteria. It can survive the acid in your stomach and cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Staph infections can range from mild to severe, depending on where they are located and how quickly a patient seeks treatment. Some common places to get staff are:
Staph infection symptoms vary depending on where it is located.
For skin infections, the symptoms include:
For food poisoning, the symptoms include:
Other potential symptoms are:
The treatment for staph infections is antibiotics, though the delivery can vary depending on the condition, placement, and type of infection.
Doctors may perform minor surgery for skin infections to drain the fluids out of the wound. The procedure will involve making a small incision on the affected area to clean the area.
If the infection involves a medical device like a pacemaker or catheter, the doctor must remove it.
Because of the prevalence of staph bacteria on the skin, it is difficult to prevent infections from happening. You can reduce the chances by following proper hygiene practices, such as:
If you are experiencing symptoms and complications, seek appropriate medical intervention. Signs to look out for include:
As one of the only health systems in Cape Coral with ER and urgent care services under one roof, ShorePoint Health Emergency & Urgent Care offers affordable pricing, quality care, and trained staff. Patients are only billed based on the level of care received, and no appointments are needed for in-person visits. The ER is available 24 hours a day, and the urgent care walk-in clinic hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
ShorePoint Health Emergency & Urgent Care-Cape Coral, a department of ShorePoint Health Port Charlotte, is located at 2521 Del Prado Blvd. N. in Cape Coral and may be reached at 239-356-0740.