Question 1

if a staph infection entered your body through a small cut, would it cause a skin problem (boil) or immediately poison your blood (bacteremia)?

Accepted Answer

Boil over bacteremia: For a bacteremia to develop, things have to be pretty serious. That said, I respect Staph aureus very much-it's a very nasty, dangerous germ. Most likely the scenario you describe would result in a small localized infection- a boil or something of that nature. For the 'extra step' of the bacteria entering the blood stream, there has to be several factors involved - the germ itself, host conditions

Question 2

could staph deplete your vision?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: Most steph infections are on the skin, occasionally the lids but not in the eye socket or the eye itself.  There would be discomfort and symptoms of infection that need treatment in these circumstances.  Only if the infection got to the interior of the eye would there be any issue of vision changes.

Question 3

is decolonization recommended for a person with staph?

Accepted Answer

Depends: On the type of staph species and if you are getting frequent skin infections.

Question 4

is staph curable?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Antibiotics can effetively treat staph infections.

Question 5

is staph a fungus?

Accepted Answer

No: Staphylococcus species (staph) are bacteria.

Question 6

what is cotrimoxazole staph?

Accepted Answer

Unclear: Cotrimoxazole is another term for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole also called bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim).  Staph or staphylococcus is a bacterium that may be treated with that antimicrobial.

Question 7

what are the chances of staph in bloodstream?

Accepted Answer

Known as sepsis: Staph in the blood stream is called sepsis, and it is a very serious infection.  Needs immediate medical attention.

Question 8

what are the differences between bacteremia and septicemia?

Accepted Answer

Septicemia: Bacteremia means presence of bacteria in the blood stream. Septicemia (also called sepsis) is a state of microbial invasion from a portal of entry into the blood stream which causes sign of illness. Fewer than half the patients with signs and symptoms of sepsis have positive results on blood culture. Furthermore, not all patients with bacteremia have signs of sepsis.

Question 9

can caladryl clear staph?

Accepted Answer

No: Caladryl is a combination of calamine lotion and topical benadryl (diphenhydramine).  It is meant to calm itch, but does not contain an antibiotic that can clear a staph infection.  Please see your doctor for treatment.

Question 10

what are staph infections?

Accepted Answer

Staphylococcus : Staph is an organism found everwhere in nature (surfaces/doornobs) but mostly on skin.  Can spread via hands. We are covered w/staph  and our 'normal staph flora' protect us from unfriendly virulent strains.  Staph can cause infections in skin, sinuses, lungs, gut, lungs but if in the blood can cause infection in all organs.  Worrisome is antibiotic resistant staph (mrsa, mrse, gisa). Handwashing!

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Doctor answers about:

Staph bacteremia

A member asked:

If a staph infection entered your body through a small cut, would it cause a skin problem (boil) or immediately poison your blood (bacteremia)?

A member asked:

Could staph deplete your vision?

A member asked:

Is decolonization recommended for a person with staph?

A member asked:

Is staph curable?

A member asked:

Is staph a fungus?

A member asked:

What is cotrimoxazole staph?

A member asked:

What are the chances of staph in bloodstream?

A member asked:

What are the differences between bacteremia and septicemia?

A member asked:

Can caladryl clear staph?

A member asked:

What are staph infections?

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