Staphylococcal infection

What is a staph infection?

A staphylococcal infection is the penetration of staphylococcus bacteria into the organism with a settlement and subsequent increase in the number of bacteria. The bacteria can infect the organism via different access routes. Frequently an infection occurs through wounds. Infection is also possible, for example, via an intravenous catheter or central venous catheter (CVC), which are often used in hospitals to draw blood from the patient or administer medication. Infection with bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus can occur through various species or subspecies such as Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis.

You can recognize a staphylococcal infection by these symptoms

Since staphylococci can cause a wide range of diseases, the symptoms also show a great variety. It must also be remembered that not every symptom is specific to staphylococcal infection, but can also have other causes. Reliable detection of staphylococci can only be achieved by microbiological cultivation.

For example, pus formation in the context of a staphylococcal infection such as a boil, carbuncle or abscess often causes pain and possibly also discomfort. Depending on the localization, further secondary symptoms can be added, which are caused by the affected tissue. Wound infections usually show the typical signs of overheating, swelling, pain, redness and dysfunction.

If sepsis with phlegmon develops, the symptoms of palpitations, increased respiratory rate, fever and chills may also be present. Possible urinary tract infections show burning sensation when urinating and a frequent urge to urinate. Endocarditis often has many different symptoms.

These include fever, chills, palpitations, reduced performance, night sweats, anemia and, in extreme cases, clouding of consciousness and kidney involvement. In Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS), the first symptom is a high fever with an accompanying exanthema, a skin rash. This is followed by inflammation of the middle ear and pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat). This is followed by the formation of blisters on the entire skin with the exception of the mucous membranes, which burst very easily.