FAQs
In 2007, Randleman was sidelined for more than a year when a staph infection under his arm leaked into his bloodstream. The infection nearly killed him; it left a gaping hole under his arm, shut down his liver and kidney and left him in a coma.
What is staph infection caused by? ›
Staph infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria. These types of germs are commonly found on the skin or in the nose of many healthy people. Most of the time, these bacteria cause no problems or cause relatively minor skin infections.
Does staph infection leave a hole? ›
These types of staph infections often start with areas that are tender, warm and red. As they get worse, you may see pus or drainage, with red areas getting bigger. Some staph infections of the skin can become open wounds.
Does staph infection spread to others? ›
Touching skin-to-skin can spread staph from one person to another. Staph can be picked up from surfaces that are often touched, like phones or doorknobs. Sometimes shared personal items, like towels, soap, or sports equipment can spread staph. Pus from an abscess is especially contagious on skin or surfaces.
Do staph infections heal? ›
Staph infections are caused by bacteria called staphylococcus. They most often affect the skin. They can go away on their own, but sometimes they need to be treated with antibiotics.
How to avoid staph infection? ›
Preventing Staph Infection
Follow these steps to avoid a staph infection and prevent it from spreading. Keep your hands clean by washing them thoroughly with soap and water. Or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered with bandages until they heal.
What soap kills staph? ›
Daily Bathing with Chlorhexidine-based Soap and the Prevention of Staphylococcus aureus Transmission and Infection.
How do most people get staph? ›
Staph can spread in and between hospitals and other healthcare facilities, and in communities. People are at higher risk for staph infection when they have surgery or stay in healthcare facilities, have medical devices in their body, inject drugs, or when they come in close contact with someone who has staph.
Can you get staph on your private area? ›
Staph is the shortened name for Staphylococcus (staf-uh-low-KAH-kus), a type of bacteria. These bacteria live harmlessly on many skin surfaces, especially around the nose, mouth, genitals, and anus. But if the skin is punctured or broken, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause an infection.
Does staph ever leave your body? ›
Healing is possible but severe infections may become chronic or recurrent. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can become chronic or resurface in other areas of the body, like the joints, bones, and blood. Recurrent infections heal but pop up again from time to time.
Staph skin infections, including , generally start as swollen, painful red bumps that might look like pimples or spider bites. The affected area might be: Warm to the touch. Full of pus or other drainage.
Does staph infection pus smell? ›
Symptoms of Staphylococcus skin infections
Staph is usually harmless and not noticeable. But if the skin is very dry, scratched or grazed, the germ can multiply and cause skin infections. The infected skin is generally red, swollen and painful. Sometimes there can be pus and an unpleasant smell.
Can I kiss someone with a staph infection? ›
Direct contact with an infected sore or wound, or with personal-care items such as razors, bandages, etc., are common routes of transmission. Casual contact such as kissing or hugging does not pose a great risk for transmission if there is no direct contact with the infected area.
Should I go to the ER for staph infection? ›
If it worsens after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment, it could lead to blood poisoning. If your skin infection is caused by staph or strep, you may need urgent care. These bacteria can quickly get out of control and potentially lead to sepsis, which can be fatal if not treated with antibiotics.
What can be mistaken for staph? ›
At first, it might look like a pimple, but it can turn into a hard, painful lump that is red and filled with pus. Many people who have a staph skin infection often mistake it for a spider bite.
Why do so many fighters get staph infection? ›
Staph is a very common occurrence in combat sports, especially grappling arts as it can be transferred by skin-to-skin contact. The infection can be caught through open wounds like cuts or abrasions when rolling on sweaty mats or grappling with training partners.
Why is staph so hard to get rid of? ›
This is because so many strains of staph bacteria have become resistant to other traditional antibiotics. This means other antibiotics can no longer kill the staph bacteria. Vancomycin and some other antibiotics used for antibiotic-resistant staph infections have to be given through a vein (intravenously).
Why do football players get staph? ›
Like athletes in other contact sports, football players are prone to staph infections because of their sport's skin-on-skin contact, the frequency of cuts and the warm, moist conditions in locker rooms, which encourage the growth of bacteria.
Why is golden staph bad? ›
While common, Staphylococcus aureus infections – known as Golden staph – can be life-threatening if the bacteria enter the bloodstream, causing sepsis.