Staph Infection Symptoms

Staph infections are caused by bacteria belonging to genus Staphylococcus. These bacteria are round in shape and are usually found single or in a bunch form. There are about 30 types of bacteria that fall under this category, but the bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus causes many of the Staph infections. These bacteria are present in nose, genitals, mouth and feet of almost 25% people. But the infection occurs when the concerned body part bleeds due to some cuts or injuries. The bacteria enter the bloodstream and then the infection spreads to other vital organs of the body, like, lungs, liver, intestines, urinary tract and heart and causes serious health problems. Thus the severity of the Staph infections ranges from a simple pus formation on the skin to a fatal disease. MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a staph bacteria that is resistant to antibiotic drugs and causes staph infection.

Symptoms and Signs of Staph Infection

Staph infections range from a minor skin infection to major life-threatening disease. Thus, the signs and symptoms of staph infections are different. Usually the symptoms of MRSA infection and other staph infections are similar. The health consequences caused due to staph infection and MRSA infection are given below:

• Food Poisoning
• Skin Infection
• Pneumonia
• Blood Poisoning
• Toxic Shock Syndrome

The symptoms of the above listed staph infections are given below:

Food Poisoning
The staph infection due to food poisoning shows early symptoms. The infection is not so serious though and the patient recovers soon from the infection. This is not a contagious condition. The symptoms of staph infection due to food poisoning can be seen soon, after 5 to 6 hours of consumption of polluted food. The infection can cause serious health problems in children and older adults. The symptoms of staph infection due to food poisoning are listed below,

• Nausea
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Cramps in stomach

Skin Infections

Boils: Skin boils are the most common type of staph skin infection. These are red colored swollen pus like bumps that grow on hair cysts. These boils grow and inflate and form a group with a number of heads called carbuncles. The boils may drain yellow colored fluid or blood if they are broken.

Impetigo: Impetigos are transmittable bump like lesions that are red in color. The lesions are painful and are commonly found in infants and adults. Impetigos developed due to staph infection are crusty, with oozy fluid filled in them. They usually develop on the face.

Follicutis: Follicutis are like boils and are caused to hair openings. The affected area is pink or red colored.

Abscess: Skin abscess is a cavity that develops below the skin and is filled with pus. The lesion does not have any head type protruding as in other lesions and does not drain the fluid on its own.

Cellulitis: Cellulitis skin infections are deeper lesions developed due to staph infection in which the affected area gets red and swollen. The areas affected are usually the legs.

Blood Poisoning
Blood poisoning is also named as bacteremia. This is caused due to entry of the staph bacteria into the bloodstream of the patient. The chief symptom of bacteremia is fever. The bacteria may travel to other organs and cause infections. The bacteria may also affect implanted devices, like, pacemaker, artificial joints, etc. The systemic symptoms caused through blood poisoning are:

• Endocarditis: Infection to heart that can cause failure of heart.
• Pneumonia: Formation of pus like structure in lungs.

Toxic Shock Syndrome
This is a fatal health condition that is developed due to use of tampons. The symptoms of staph infection due to toxic shock syndrome are given below:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sunburn like skin rashes
• Muscle aches
• Headache

Septic Arthritis
Septic arthritis is a health problem caused by staph infection where the bacteria affects the joints. The symptoms include:

• Swelling in joints
• Pain in the affected joint
• Fever

Specific Serious Symptoms of MRSA infection

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Acute Pain
• Muscle Ache
• Nausea
• Skin Rashes
• Breath Shortness
• Chills

Staph infection symptoms vary with the organ that is affected by the bacteria. One should consult a physician when he / she notices above listed symptoms as some of the staph infections are contagious. Staph infections should not be ignored and timely treatment is necessary.